Medvedev, stronger than the pain in Indian Wells, goes to the quarters at the expense of Zverev

Europe 1 with AFP 00:22, March 15, 2023

A twisted ankle, a surface he hates and Alexander Zverev in clear progress did nothing: Daniil Medvedev overcame everything, courage, adrenaline and talent to reach the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 Indian Wells, Tuesday.

The Russian, 6th player in the world ended up overthrowing 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 the German (14th).

His 17th victory in a row.

With three tournaments won consecutively in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai, he asserts himself as one of the big favorites for the title, with the Spaniard world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz.

But we will have to see how the state of Medvedev's ankle evolves in the coming hours, as he reaches this stage for the first time in the Californian desert, where his opponent will be the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich (28th), winner 6 -3, 6-4 from Chilean Cristian Garin (97th).

He hurt himself on a break point in his favor, at 3-2 in the second set.

On a support, his ankle bent suddenly inwards, then outwards.

Struggling to hide his pain, he saw Zverev running towards him.

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Wounded but resilient

And for good reason, the scene inevitably brought the German back nine months, when he himself suffered a similar injury in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros.

He had to give up against Rafael Nadal, struck down by a serious ligament tear, which required an operation and kept him away from the courts for six months.

"I twisted my ankle quite badly. But I was like 'OK, I'm going to get up, I'll be fine'. And then I stayed on the ground because the pain was mounting. I then thought it was worth I better stop," Medvedev said afterwards.

Treated by the physio, who put a bandage on him, he found the strength to continue, despite a scenario so far very unfavorable, since he had given up the first set.

A rather deserved advantage for Zverev, more enterprising, who had had three missed chances at 6-5, before seizing the fifth in the tie-break.

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"Crazy Match"

Whereupon, the Russian piqued his daily anger in Indian Wells, as in every game since the start of the tournament, castigating the slowness of the field.

"It's a shame for the sport, this court! It's not a hard court, I know what a hard court knows, I'm a specialist", he complained to the referee , remained unmoved, under the amused gaze of Zverev.

A game that struggles to express itself, an obvious frustration and, to top it off, an injury… it was enough for Medvedev to play the phoenix.

His first runs were cautious, but his shots far more precise and sharp, refusing to give up.

Saving no less than ten break points, he made the difference in the second decisive game, during which he took out the big shots he needed.

Driven by renewed energy, Medvedev again took the upper hand in the final round, his mobility showing no discomfort, even if he again called on the physio to have his left thigh massaged.

The 2021 US Open winner broke away 3-1, but Zverev unleashed his punches to unbreak at 5-5 saving a match point in the process.

To immediately… crack, betrayed by a double fault offering his service game to Medvedev who did not ask for so much, to finally conclude in 3:17.

"I know the adrenaline will drop, it could be painful. I'm going to need to rest", he concluded, after a "crazy match".