Daniil Medvedev has cracked his recent jinx against the ranking Top 10 with his storming 6-2, 6-2 title victory in Dubai over good friend and No. 6 Andrey Rublev.
Former No. 1 Medvedev, currently ranked seventh. stamped his authority on a third ATP title in as many weeks with the lightning-fast victory in 69 minutes,
The run of form which included trophies in Rotterdam and Doha over the past 14 days, sets the No. 7 up nicely for the Indian Wells event which kicks off the Masters 1000 campaign next week in the Californian desert.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won three tournaments in a row – I was one time six finals in a row. I won three of them, and only two in a row,” the former No. 1 said.
“Tennis is week after week. If I lose in Indian Wells early, I will probably straightaway lose the confidence. That’s sometimes how tennis is.”
Monte Carlo-based Medvedev, who became a father to a daughter last autumn, believes he’s got his mojo back after losing nine matches in a row to Top 10 opponents before he broke through last month for what is now a 14-match win streak.
“After the Rafa (Nadal) loss (February, 2022 in Acapulco), I didn’t win against top-10 players.
“There was a (past) stretch when I was on a 20-match win streak. I won, like, 12 times in a row against the top 10. I know I’m capable of doing this.”
He added: “These statistics, they don’t get into my mind. I saw one crazy one that I (stand) 5-3 against Novak when he’s No. 1.
“I’m 0-6 when he’s not No. 1. I’m like, Stay No. 1 as long as you can. If I can play you when you’re No. 1, will be better “
