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“That’s a Lot of Pressure”: Daniil Medvedev Explains Novak Djokovic’s Chances of Winning Wimbledon Championships 2021

World number two Daniil Medvedev, who couldn’t enjoy a successful run on the European clay-court season this year, has got a couple of wins under his belt at the grass-court event in ATP Mallorca.

The Russian played his first-round match against Corentin Moutet, where he was down by a break in the first set. Once he got the first-serves right, there is no stopping Medvedev as he began to dominate the Frenchman from the baseline.

Daniil Medvedev
Mar 28, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits a backhand against Alexei Popyrin of Australia (not pictured) in the third round in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Watch this story: John Isner, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, and Others in the Most Shocking Moments of Wimbledon Championships

Medvedev also used a lot of drop shots in his grass-court campaign so far. Coupled with his accurate first-serves, the variety Medvedev used fetched him a straight-sets victory against Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals, 7-5,6-1.

The world number two will face Pablo Carreno Busta in the semi-finals of Mallorca.

“Novak is a big favorite” – Daniil Medvedev on his chances at SW19

Speaking exclusively after his quarter-final victory, the Russian talked about his expectations from Wimbledon after Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem withdrew.

Look, I want to do good. You know, I never tried to, to give my opinion on chances. I mean, we look on, every, let’s say website or anything Novak is a big favorite, that’s the only thing I can say. So that’s also a lot of pressure. I’m assuming he goes for the golden slam with Olympic Games in it and everything. So it’s some pressure that he knows how to deal with it”, commented the Russian.

Medvedev wants to test his limit on grass at Wimbledon this year

The Australian Open runner-up this year also talked about how tricky it will be to play on grass.

I want to, you know, challenge myself to go far because even if I like to play on grass, it’s really tricky surface where first, second round quarters, you can get tough opponents. So, it’s a special surface and I want to try just to go far at Wimbledon and then see where’s my limit”, concluded Medvedev.

The Russian’s best record at SW19 was reaching the third-round in two consecutive years(2018 and 2019). Last time, Medvedev was beaten by David Goffin in five sets.

Daniil Medvedev
LONDON, ENGLAND – July 03: Daniil Medvedev of Russia in action against Alexei Popyrin of Australia on Court Twelve during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 3rd, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

On a surface where serve plays a key role, Medvedev would fancy his chances as other next-gen players like Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t play as many grass-court matches as the Russian did.

However, experience always trumps on grass and the Russian should be wary of stiff competition from players like Kei Nishikori and Nick Kyrgios in the early rounds.

Also read: “Couldn’t Hit Two Balls in the Court”: Daniil Medvedev Reveals Initial Struggles in Opening-Round Win at Mallorca

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