Magkababayang Medvedev at Rublev, maghaharap sa quarter-finals ng US Open
Daniil Medvedev is eyeing another run at the US Open title / COREY SIPKIN / AFP
Makakaharap ni Daniil Medvedev ang kababayan niyang Russian at malapit na kaibigang si Adrey Rublev sa US Open quarter-finals, matapos niyang talunin ang Australian 13th seed na si Alex de Minaur sa four sets.
Tinalo ng 3rd seed na si Medvedev si De Minaur sa score na 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 sa Louie Armstrong stadium, target ang ikalawang US Open crown kasunod ng una niyang Grand Slam title sa New York dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas.
Sinabi ni Medvedev, “The conditions were some of the most brutal we’ve ever played. There was one moment where I thought I’m not going to be able to play until the end, it’s so tough. But I looked across the net and noticed he was slowing down too, so I thought okay, I can do this.”
Ang 27-anyos na si Medvedev, na nagwagi ng apat na hard-court titles ngayong season, ay muling nakalampas sa “last eight” ng US Open para sa ika-apat na pagkakataon sa loob ng limang taon.
Tinalo niya si Rublev sa straight sets sa kaparehong stage ng torneo noong 2020 at may hawak siyang record na 5-2 kumpara sa kaniyang kaibigan.
Ayon pa kay Medvedev, “We’re really close friends. Even if on the court we’re big competitors… I think nothing is going to come between us to separate us in real life. We’re really close. I mean, we share a lot of let’s call it interests and stuff like this. It’s great to have someone like this on tour because sometimes can be not easy. You travel, travel, travel. To have a friend like this is great.”
Ngunit sa kabila ng pagiging malapit na magkaibigan, hangad ni Medvedev na muling daigin si Rublev na hindi pa nanalo sa walong nakalipas niyang Grand Slam quarter-final appearances.
Aniya, “But again, on the court we both want to win. We not going to be friends in two days.”
