In some ways, that more-than-month-long pause between Mallorca and Los Cabos felt like an eternity for Daniil Medvedev.
But the interruption to his usual regimens/rhythms/routines, which included sitting out Wimbledon, doesn’t seem to have done him any harm, at least when it comes to the on-court results. Last week, the reigning World No. 1 departed Mexico with trophy in hand, his first of the year, and he returns to the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers as the defending champion, healthy and eager for a repeat performance.
Of course, this summer stretch is usually when the 26-year-old summons his best tennis. It was here in 2019, after all, that he introduced himself to the tennis world at large, embarking on a remarkable stretch that would see him reach consecutive finals in Washington, Montreal, Cincinnati, Flushing Meadows, St. Petersburg and Shanghai. If there’s a Medvedevian stretch on the ATP calendar, the North American hard-court swing is most definitely it.
“I’m in great confidence right now,” said Medvedev, who missed another chunk of time earlier this year after undergoing hernia surgery. “That’s why I went to Las Cabos, because I wanted to see where I was after the clay-court and the grass seasons, which are very different. It’s good to come back on hard courts to know what your position is compared to the best players. I feel very confident and I feel good for the next tournaments.”
Following a first-round bye, Medvedev will jump right into it against a player who’s building up some confidence of his own: Nick Kyrgios, who advanced on Tuesday via a 6-4, 6-4 opening-round win over Sebastian Baez. Last month, the 27-year-old Aussie reached his first major final at Wimbledon, and last week wrapped up a title of his own in Washington. The 37th-ranked Kyrgios owns a 2-1 edge in ATP Head2Heads, though he dropped their most recent encounter earlier this year in the second round of the Australian Open, 7-6(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
“I’m happy that I’m giving everyone what they want: Kyrgios v. Medvedev, second round,” said Kyrgios with a smile.
“It’s going to be hard, that’s for sure,” he continued. “I know physically and mentally I’m not as fresh as I would like. But he also came off a title last week in Los Cabos. He’s going to be feeling a little bit tired, too — I hope. But I’m going to do everything right. I’m going to get a good rest tonight, good physio, and I’m just…
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