Comeback masters: Medvedev's and Rublev's victories helped the Russian national team to reach the ATP Cup final

Surely initially few people predicted the confrontation between Russia and Germany in the semi-finals of the ATP Cup.

Moreover, the prospects of not domestic, but of German tennis players, who fell into the same group with the current winners of the competition, the Serbs, were questioned.

However, Alexander Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff sensationally took over Novak Djokovic and the company, taking their place in the playoffs.

Traditionally, the second teams were the first to enter the court.

True, if Andrei Rublev had two victories in singles and two in doubles, then Struff was the main earner of points for the Bundestim.

In Melbourne, the 37th racket of the planet managed to gain the upper hand over two opponents at once, moreover, located much higher than him in the table of ranks.

First, he dealt with Milos Raonic (15th number in the ATP rating) in two sets, and then with Dusan Lajovic (26th) in three sets.

Among other things, he added to this and the triumph in a pair against the Serbs.

It was not necessary to consider Jan-Lennard an easy opponent for another reason.

Until now, he was in the lead in a personal confrontation with Rublev, having beaten him twice in three meetings.

True, the last time they shared the court was in 2018.

In the first round of the tournament in St. Petersburg, the Russian lost in two games - 4: 6, 6: 7 (8: 6).

After the first set, it seemed that the match at the ATP Cup would also end in the German's favor.

Struff demonstrated tennis of the highest level, almost never made mistakes and served excellently.

He was almost flawless when he hit the first ball (14 won out of 16 rallies), despite the fact that he succeeded very often (73%).

Rublev, on the other hand, did not look so impressive, but at the key moment he became completely nervous.

With the score 3: 3, he allowed two doubles at once and allowed the opponent to make a break, which predetermined the outcome of the game.

Another missed serve did not decide anything.

In the run-up to the Russian-German confrontation, one of the main questions was how important fatigue would play.

Unlike opponents, Rublev and company completed their performance at the group stage on Thursday, as a result of which they had an additional day of rest.

And as it became clear during the second set, it became an important factor.

Struff was tired and not so stable anymore.

The percentage of hits with the first ball dropped to 46%, the exits to the net became less rapid, and on the back line it was noticeably weaker.

As a result, four lost games in a row.

Moreover, he completely lost the second serve at zero.

Salvation for Struff could well have been a long break with the score 1: 5, caused by the downpour that hit Melbourne.

The organizers did not have time to close the roof, as a result of which the meeting was suspended.

However, after returning to court, he lost another serve in the second set, and then three games in a row in the third.

Taking into account the shape of Rublev, it was no longer possible to catch up with him.

The Russian won all 12 points when he hit the first ball and performed five aces, and at the end of the meeting he made a break again - 3: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2.

“I have known Struff for a long time, he is one of the most hardworking players.

It progresses and progresses, it gets better and better.

I knew that the match would be difficult.

In the first set I was nervous, and he played very well, constantly attacking, crushed me.

I couldn't answer anything.

In the second set, I decided that with such a game the match would end 3: 6, 3: 6.

It was necessary to change something, I began to attack more.

Gradually I started to play better, more aggressive, move better.

That's what has changed, "- quotes Rublev" Match TV ".

The meeting between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev developed according to a similar scenario, with the only difference that it turned out to be much more dramatic and prolonged.

If Rublev coped with Struff in 82 minutes, then his compatriot had to spend two and a half hours on the court.

The fourth racket of the world greased the beginning and immediately lost three games in a row, subsequently giving up a set.

Not to say that the German greatly outplayed the Russian, but at key moments he turned out to be a little better.

By analogy with Struff, in the second set Zverev noticeably slowed down.

The percentage of not only the first serve fell (56% instead of 68%), but also the points won on it (64% instead of 74%).

Of course, one of the reasons was back problems, because of which Alexander had to take a medical time-out when the score was 3: 4.

By this time, he had already allowed Medvedev to make a break, but issued the opposite in the next game.

At the end of the set, it was clearly noticeable that a back injury did not allow the German to work at full strength.

The blows were given to him with great difficulty and caused discomfort.

He frankly ripped off some of them, unable to adjust to the ball.

This was taken advantage of by Medvedev, who took another serve of the enemy and equalized the score in the parties.

In between the sets, Zverev took another medical time-out, the fruits of which were much more noticeable.

The German became more mobile, which allowed him to impose a fight on Medvedev.

The third game turned out to be the most intense and lasted almost an hour.

The tennis players not only served confidently, but were almost flawless when they hit the first ball.

The percentage of draws won was over 84%.

Opponents confidently took serve up to the score 5: 5, only once allowing the counterpart to take more than two points at the reception.

But at a key moment, Zverev ran out of strength.

For the entire game, he only once hit the square outright, while making two double mistakes at once.

The second happened on a double break and aroused the wrath of a German who broke his racket in his hearts.

However, the final game was not easy for the fourth racket of the world.

It dragged on for 11 minutes, during which Zverev had five chances to bring the matter to a tie-break, and Medvedev himself took four match points to establish the final score.

In the end, Daniil won the third consecutive victory over Alexander and led the Russian national team to the ATP Cup final - 3: 6, 6: 3, 7: 5.

“Crazy match.

Glad to win, although I didn't like a lot.

But most importantly, I brought a point to the team ... At first, his injury helped me, because he began to move more slowly and serve.

I managed to realize the opportunity and transfer the match to the third set.

I think if at the beginning of the third I was a little more fortunate, or if I played a little better, I could get an advantage and win easier.

But then he maybe took painkillers or just played out, and the match became tough.

I had to fight to the end, ”Medvedev said.

As in the course of the confrontations with Argentina and Japan, the doubles match became a formality.

Evgeny Donskoy and Aslan Karatsev again failed to impose a fight on their opponents and lost the second meeting in a row in the tournament.

Struff and Kevin Kravitz won in two games - 6: 3, 7: 6 (2), thanks to which they managed to break the score in the series.

As for the Russian national team, the Italian team is waiting for it in the final, having easily cracked down on Spain in the absence of Rafael Nadal.