Italian Open 2023: Daniil Medvedev wins his first major clay court title

Prior to the French Open, Daniil Medvedev won the men's Italian Open after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark 7-5, 7-5. This was his first career victory on clay. With his fifth championship of the year, Medvedev is now one of the leading contenders for Roland Garros, which starts on May 28.

Despite 18 of his previous 19 titles won on hard courts, the 27-year-old had previously been recognised almost solely for his brilliance on those surfaces. In Mallorca, the other one was on grass.

Medvedev spoke after the match about how he had trouble playing on clay court earlier on. He said, “Honestly, I didn't believe much I can win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually, I hated it. I hated playing on it; I don't feel good on it like nothing was working. before this tournament already in Madrid and Monte Carlo, I was kind of feeling not too bad. I didn't have any big tantrums.”

He later spoke about how he prepared for it and his feeling before the tournament. He said, "I came here and I felt amazing on practice. I was like, 'I don't know what's happening, but I feel amazing. Let's see how it goes'. "But then you need to play the toughest opponents in the world to try to make it and I'm really happy that I managed to do it and prove myself and everybody that I'm capable of doing it."

Medvedev won the opening set in the inaugural Rome final since 2004 that didn't feature 22-time Grand Slam winners Rafa Nadal or Novak Djokovic after the match's start was delayed by over two hours due to rain.

The world No. 3 broke during the 12th game, finishing the first set with a strong drive after Rune's poor drop shot. In the opening game of the second set, Rune, the Foro Italico's youngest finalist since Spaniard Nadal did so 17 years prior, broke to love. After Medvedev responded to tie the match, Rune pounced once more to take a 4-3 lead.

However, the competitive world No. 7 appeared to tyre late in a strenuous stretch, giving the lead back to Medvedev. Medvedev secured a tight hold courtesy of two enormous serves before clinching the match in style.