Medvedev Stuns Home Favorite Nishikori In Tokyo Final
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Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev stunned Japanese favorite Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4 to capture his biggest career title in the Tokyo final on Sunday.
“I’m just really happy. I’ve been showing amazing tennis here. I’m happy that what I have been doing all season in practice, physical workouts, worked out here in Tokyo,” Medvedev said. “This is my biggest title, so I’m just really happy.”
Medvedev, who had to qualify just to get into the event, has now own 17 of his last 19 matches at all levels. The 22-year-old is 3-0 in finals this year winning in Sydney, Winston Salem and now Toyko.
“I’m happy. I’m just happy that everything I did this year in my life, on the tennis court in my job, because tennis is my job first of all, and I’m happy that I managed to do my job great this year,” Medvedev said. “The year is not finished, so I’m going to try to reach even higher. I’m going to have a pre-season where I’m going to try to improve even more and be better every day. If this will be the case, I maybe won’t even have to look back anymore. But you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, so I’m just trying to focus on today.”
Meanwhile, Nishikori was trying to win his third career Tokyo title but falls for an 8th straight time in an ATP-level final.
“It’s been a great couple months. After the US Open, I think I’ve been playing well. Maybe not today, but I’m happy to be in the final here again especially in Japan, my home,” Nishikori said. “I’ve got to keep playing the same in Shanghai.”
The 32nd-ranked Medvedev is expected to climb 10 spots to a career-high No. 22 in the ATP Rankings.
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