Rafael Nadal admits he was ‘surprised’ at Daniil Medvedev being able to match him tactically

Rafael Nadal has heaped praise on Daniil Medvedev, saying that not many players are able to turn a match around tactically against him like the Russian achieved in the US Open final.
Medvedev came into the final on the back of a stunning summer that saw him reaching four successive finals.
Nadal was a still the strong favourite though, and it looked to be heading for a routine win for him as he went two sets up.
However, Medvedev wasn’t finished, and Nadal has acknowledged the scale of his achievement to run him so close from such a position.
“When you win so much you have many qualities,” Nadal told Eurosport of Medvedev.
“I was surprised for his tactical turnaround at some point but not at such extent.
“I have seen just a few players moving so well, hitting slice backhands like that.”
Nadal, of course, managed to find a way to win the match, and he says he always backed himself to resist the Russian’s charge.
“Going from 3-2 to 4-2 in the third set would have been crucial but I played bad, it complicated everything, I missed an easy volley although the ball got much higher than it was supposed to be.
“I could not have control. I was seeing that the match was not going toward the right direction, although I knew that winning three sets in a row against me in a Grand Slam final would have been tough.
“I tried to stay there and I hoped that my opportunity would come.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
French Open
New Novak Djokovic conspiracy theories floated as he hits out at ‘disrespect’
Djokovic’s biggest gripe was with the French Open fans, as he made a rare move to speak out against the ‘disrespect’ that flowed his way.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal’s shocking rankings drop confirmed as he undergoes surgery
Provisional rankings list suggests Rafael Nadal will drop to a position in the mid-130s in the ATP list.
-
French Open
Former champion warns against making Novak Djokovic angry
Djokovic won’t be thrown off by jeers and boos and will only become inspired if a crowd is against him.
-
French Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas identifies key to progress in Paris
Tsitsipas comfortably beat Diego Schwartzman in straight sets to gain the last 16.
-
French Open
Elina Svitolina lauds ‘brave’ Russian French Open opponent
Elina Svitolina heralded Daria Kasatkina’s willingness to speak out against Russian military aggression.
-
News
Novak Djokovic bemoans long list of injuries after reaching French Open fourth round again
The 36-year-old battled for more than three and a half hours to win 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5) 6-2.
-
News
Lorenzo Musetti dumps Cameron Norrie out of French Open
British singles interest at Roland Garros is over after Norrie’s 6-1 6-2 6-4 loss to Musetti.
-
French Open
John McEnroe leaps to Novak Djokovic’s defence after French Open abuse
John McEnroe feels that the crowd have gone in on Novak Djokovic time and again even when he has done nothing wrong.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic fights off Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in French Open slugfest
Djokovic needed three hours and 36 minutes to complete the straight-sets victory.
-
News
Aryna Sabalenka avoiding regular media duties citing mental health concerns
The Belarusian said she “did not feel safe” after an exchange with a Ukrainian journalist on Wednesday.