Humbert breaks Medvedev’s streak with Russia

Daniil Medvedev was life insurance for Russia, the common denominator of the successes of a country that competes like Federacion for the sanction that has been imposed on him for some time for alleged State doping. The Muscovite accumulated 10 victories between ATP Cup and Davis Cup, two tournaments that his nation has won thanks, in large part, to the rockiness of the world’s number two when it represents the colors red, blue and white. But this Sunday, Medvedev fell to Ugo Humbert, a player with a patient and tactical tennis who already choked him in their previous meeting, two years ago on the clay of Hamburg. On hard court, Daniil also suffered and was unable to exact revenge at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena: 6-7 (5), 7-5 and 7-6 (2) in 2h55. As his compatriot Roman Safiullin achieved a long-suffering victory against Arthur Rinderknech (2-6, 7-5 and 6-3 in 2h25), the doubles point, which Medvedev and Safiullin will play against Martin and Roger-Vasselin a priori, will decide the winner of the tie.

Humbert had a 4-1 tiebreaker in the first set, which if he had taken advantage of it could have changed the sign of the match a lot. Because he won the second after coming back from a 3-0 start with courage and much merit, despite committing 26 unforced errors (he finished with 61). In the third round, the champion of the last US Open escaped (3-1), but the Frenchman reacted again and put fear in the body of his rival, who made him run a lot so he had to ask to be massaged the thighs. His serves were answered more than well by Humbert, who in the end, despite his tremendous wear and tear and the risk with which he was used, broke Medvedev.

Before, Safiullin (24 years and 167º) could with Rinderknech (26 and 58º) thanks to his good performance to the rest, with which he made up for his deficiencies in service. In that section, the French punished him with 13 aces. Both broke serve four times and the game was decided by small details.

ATP Cup results.