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Nishikori 🎥 Medvedev (Brisbane Final)

RESULTS 🎾

💥 = Beatdown \\ 🤕 = Injury \\ ‼️ = Upset

Brisbane 🇦🇺

(ATP 250 - Hard)

Nishikori d Medvedev: 6-4, 3-6, 6-2

At long last, Nishikori has broken his finals losing streak (9 in a row before today’s match), and in the process avenged last years Tokyo final loss to Medvedev. Before today, the last title Kei had won was back in 2016 in Tennessee. The Japanese played 51 events between the two titles, which nicely illustrates how absurdly tough it can be at the top of the game, especially given how talented (and clutch) Nishikori is.

The match started with an almost immediate break of serve in Medvedev’s favour. The Russian had started stronger and Nishikori looked a little off timing-wise in the face of Medvedev’s flat balls and languid, effortless changes of direction. Thankfully for Nishikori, he seemed to wake up while down 1-3* in the score, breaking back thanks to a combination of aggressive forehands and a wild double fault and forehand error from Medvedev. At 3-3 Nishikori took control of the set, ripping a huge forehand return ace to grab the break. Kei did an excellent job of targeting Medvedev’s forehand side (which is weaker when attacked with pace/depth than his backhand), manufacturing two errors off that wing to set up the BP. Nishikori cruised to the finish line of the opening set, with some impressive 1st serves winning him multiple free points and simple, 1-2 punch setups. Medvedev had looked frustrated since playing the soft game at 1*-3 where he was broken back, and hadn’t been the same player since.

Medvedev’s frustration spilled over into the start of the 2nd set, facing multiple break points as a result of rushed forehands in the face of solid Nishikori returning. At this point Nishikori had made his home in a dominating position up on the baseline, against a Medvedev who was drifting further and further back into defensive positions. Medvedev seemed bewildered by how early Nishikori was taking the ball, constantly chasing shadows as Nishikori dictated play. Four more break points on the Medvedev serve came and went at 2-2, with the Russian coming up with some much improved aggression to save the first two, and some good serves to save the second two. The break point fest on Medvedev’s serve then continued in his next service game at 3-3, but this time a missed Nishikori backhand was the Russian’s saviour. All of a sudden, and thoroughly against the run of play, some timely aggression from Medvedev then stole the break from the Nishikori serve at 3*-4 (Medvedev saved 8/8 BP’s in this 2nd set, and converted the singular chance he had on Nishikori’s serve). Medvedev had finally managed to push Nishikori a bit further behind the baseline, and stepped into crush a backhand down the line for the unlikely break. A game later, Medvedev took the 2nd set.

On to a decider, and Nishikori was forced to defend 30-30 at 1-1, coming up with some really aggressive forehands to steady the ship. Kei then went on the offensive on return, breaking serve for a 3*-1 lead thanks to a combination of an errant Medvedev forehand and a huge return on break point. Similar to the 2nd half of the first set, Medvedev cut a frustrated figure after being broken, rushing his shots in the face of an improving opponent. Nishikori went on to secure the double break after another forehand error from Medvedev, before losing serve to love while serving for the title (at 5*-1). Medvedev was now in full slap-attack mode, and he grabbed the break back after some crazy, hail mary shotmaking. The comeback was short-lived however, as the Russian’s low-margin slaps ran out of steam while serving at 2*-5, Nishikori claiming the title by breaking to love on a backhand pass.

A deserved title for Nishikori, who was the better player for the vast majority of the match (facing 6 BP’s vs Medvedev’s 15). The key was Kei feasting on Medvedev’s 2nd serve, wining 57% (or 25/46) points, and standing up so close to the baseline, taking the ball so early to win time and space from his opponent. Overall, very encouraging signs for Nishikori whose only homework should be to try and land more first serves (50’s% today, which will be, and has been, punished against better returners). As for Medvedev, today was a step down in performance level from his previous two rounds, but much of that was down to Nishikori’s ability to take time away from him, forcing the Russian far back behind the baseline and then working angles to create all kinds of space in the court.

SHOTS OF THE DAY 😮

— One of the main differences between Medvedev feeling comfortable (as he did in the first 3 games of the match) and him feeling uncomfortable as the match wore on, was Nishikori’s 2nd serve return depth. As the match started, Kei struggled to land on return and allowed Medvedev to sit on top of the baseline like this.

— Ominously for Medvedev though, Nishikori’s return struggles didn’t last long. Kei started abusing 2nd serves like this.

— Stunning backhand pass from Nishikori.

— By the time Nishikori broke back in the opener, his return of serve was dialled in.

— One of Medvedev’s biggest struggles today was reading and reacting to how early Nishikori took the ball. This wasn’t a bad return from Medvedev (many players in Nishikori’s position would have had to back off such a ball), but Kei holds his ground (gets nice and low) and just rips this backhand so early.

— Trademark Nishikori jumping backhand.

— Medvedev is slap mode.🔥

— Medvedev breaks, out of nowhere, to take the 2nd set. Notice how this is one of the only times in the match where Medvedev managed to wrestle superior court position from Nishikori. The final shot ends with Nishikori behind the baseline (a rarity in the match), and Medvedev moving into the court and dictating.

— At this point of the match (a break down in the 3rd set), Medvedev was playing some brilliant, if low margin, shots. Crazy angle.

— Big win for Nishikori, especially in getting the, finals losing streak, monkey off his back.

INTERVIEW & PRESS BEST BITS 🎤

Nishikori after winning the Brisbane title:

“To win the tournament is very emotional. That's why I'm playing. I was trying in every final and every tournament. I played some great matches against Dimitrov and today's match was another good match. I'm sure Daniil is going to be Top 10 soon, so it was a good match again today.” Source

On the keys to the match:

“Second set I was a waiting too much and I couldn't convert all the chances I had. He did really well (in the) 4-3 game. He took the risk and he did well. Credit to him. In the third set, I started playing a little bit more inside and start hitting more. When I realised I had to do something to win this match, I think I made a change really well. I think I returned well. That was the biggest key. (I was) able to return very deep and I think I gave him a little pressure.” Source

ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY ⏰

Match to watch = 🔥

Fast 4 Exhibition - Sydney

— (@ 7:30pm Local, 8am UK, 2am CT) —

🌎 Nadal vs Kyrgios 🇦🇺 🔥

🇦🇺 Millman vs Raonic 🌎

🌎 Nadal/Raonic vs Kyrgios/Millman 🇦🇺 🔥

Sydney - ATP 250

— (@ 12pm Local, 1am UK, 7pm CT) —

Featured Matches:

🇦🇺 De Minaur vs Lajovic 🇷🇸 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: De Minaur in 2

🇹🇳 Jaziri vs Querrey 🇺🇸 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Querrey in 3

🇦🇺 Ebden vs Jarry 🇨🇱 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Ebden in 3

Full Order Of Play

Auckland - ATP 250

— (@ 12pm Local, 11pm UK, 5pm CT) —

Featured Matches

🇩🇪 Kohlschreiber vs Klahn 🇺🇸 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Kohlschreiber in 2

🇫🇷 Paire vs Norrie 🇬🇧 (1st Meeting) 🔥

Prediction: Paire in 3

🇨🇦 Shapovalov vs J. Sousa 🇵🇹 (1st Meeting) 🔥

Prediction: Shapovalov in 3

Full Order Of Play

EXTRAS 🔍📊🎤

— Kooyong runs from the 8th-10th January.

NEW BALLS PLEASE 👀

“Robbie’s one of our good friends, he’s paid for a couple of houses and a few cars.”

Funny video of Robert Lindstedt giving the Bryan Brothers some grief for cockblocking his career.

— Too real Andy…😢

— At least he’s still putting trolls in their place on Instagram.

— Good of Medvedev to enter himself into ‘Most Useless Racquet Smash’ category for the 2019 awards. Him and Rublev both gunning hard for that accolade this year.

Matt: The next issue will be on Thursday for the ‘Australian Open Draw - Breakdown and Tournament Predictions’! Hope you’ve enjoyed the first week (and coverage) of the 2019 season! This lot certainly did:

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GAME, SET, MATCH 👋

— The Racquet is created, and written, by Matt.

— You can find me on Twitter here.

See you on Thursday for the Australian Open Draw Breakdown!

Banner Image Source: Brisbane Tennis Twitter