On Wednesday, Daniil Medvedev defeated his fellow Russian player Andrey Rublev to advance to the semifinals of the US Open. However, he expressed concern over the intense and grueling conditions at the tournament, stating that a player could potentially suffer severe consequences.
Medvedev defeated Rublev in a clear victory, with a final score of 6-4 6-3 6-4. However, both athletes appeared to have difficulties coping with the intense heat inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Medvedev, who won the 2021 US Open, took two breaks for medical reasons during the match. On both occasions, he used an inhaler to try to combat the challenging conditions.
Both competitors continuously utilized towels during the game to manage the excessive amounts of perspiration in the physically draining competition.
In the middle of the third set, 27-year-old Medvedev was caught on camera saying, “One player is going to perish and you will witness it.”
CNN’s Weather team reports that the temperature at Flushing Meadows reached 93 degrees Fahrenheit during the match, and the conditions felt like 96 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat advisory is in effect for the area until 8p ET on Wednesday.
I have contacted the US Open for a statement regarding the state of the court.
Following his win, Medvedev described the conditions as “harsh” and clarified that he was unable to see the ball towards the end of the first set.
Medvedev stated during his post-match interview that the only positive aspect of the current conditions is that both players endured the same challenges. He acknowledged that it was a difficult match for both of them, with ups and downs being a regular occurrence. Towards the end of the first set, Medvedev struggled to see the ball and relied on his instincts to play.
“I attempted to take the lead and began to run, but my opponent did the same. Initially, I thought he was exhausted and I tried to keep him moving by running, but he managed to keep up with me the entire time. It was a grueling competition and extremely challenging to come out victorious.”
Despite the challenging and muggy weather, Medvedev managed to tap into his energy reserves and secure a win, earning him a spot in the US Open semifinals.
There was not much difference between the two Russian players. They have referred to each other as “very close friends” in the past, and Rublev is the godfather to Medvedev’s daughter. The long rallies and intense games made it challenging for both players on the court.
Monster rallies
However, as Rublev’s performance declined, Medvedev capitalized on his opponent’s mistakes and won in straight sets. The final game, which lasted over 15 minutes, symbolized the victory. After two hours and 48 minutes, Medvedev finally secured the win with a fifth match point by forcing an error from his fellow countryman.
Despite facing adversity and a formidable opponent, Medvedev proved himself to be a serious contender for this year’s title. He overcame a deficit in each set to secure an impressive victory.
He is set to compete against either Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev, who will play later today, for a chance to advance to the final round.
Source: cnn.com
