Medvedev Solves Opelka Serve For Toronto Canadian Open Title, 4th Masters

Daniil Medvedev won his fourth career Masters title topping the towering Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-3 in comfortable fashion.

”I could not have dreamt of [this] at one point,” Medvedev told the crowd. “With Masters, with Novak and Rafael playing, it seemed like an untouchable achievement. Now I have four wins in five finals, which is a good score. I am just happy. I want to achieve more. I am really happy I achieved this in Canada.

“Even today, he showed up, he played some really good points. He was fighting until the end, he saved break points in crucial moments. Playing your first Masters final is not easy. I played my first in Canada and won only three games.”

Medvedev, who had just handled John Isner Saturday night with ease, broke Opelka early in both sets and other than having to save a couple of break points, was largely unbothered.

Opelka tried to take his power game to Medvedev but time and time again, the Russian came up with the goods, either with scintillating passing shots or incredible defense. And he found the range on the formidable Opelka serve limiting the American to just eight aces.

“When you play Reilly, I think still the biggest factor is how you serve and how you return. Actually, my serve was not on top point today. That’s why I had breakpoints to save. That’s why it was sometimes close calls on my serve,” Medvedev said. “But I was very good on return. I managed to put pressure on him almost nonstop. I think he didn’t almost have maybe one or two easy games in the match. That’s what made the difference, if we talk about tennis.

The 25-year-old Medvedev now has 12 career titles with 11 on his favorite hard courts.

For Opelka, with this newfound confidence after reaching his biggest career final, the 23-year-old figures to be a force in Cincinnati and at the US Open.

”He was flawless,” Opelka said after the loss. “I had one chance to break early. I don’t think that would have changed much because he was in so many of my service games. When I hit some big shots, he countered well and it was very tough to disrupt him at all.

“I have learned a lot about myself. I learned that the difference between some matches is so small, you’ve just really got to be optimistic. I was playing Lloyd Harris a couple days ago on the back court, and the guy was red hot. Returning unbelievably, playing well, not missing a ball. I could have lost there and still had a pretty good week, two good wins, on to the next one.”

ok this is adorable @DaniilMedwed #NBO21 pic.twitter.com/bW3WYY4UdX

— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 15, 2021