Russian star, Daniil Medvedev has won the 2020 ATP Finals after defeating US Open champion, Dominic Thiem in a game of three rounds (4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4). Medvedev lifted his cup in at the empty O2 Arena stadium there in London, which was also the last time the cup would be lifted there as the tournament moves to Turin, Italy next year. That brings to an end the 12-year run of the event in the UK.

Medvedev came from losing his first round to breaking to winning 7 points in a row in the second, forcing a decider set. Thiem fought hard in the third set to hold Medvedev off at 2-1, but the 24-year old put was able to get past, eventually winning the set to win the tournament. Medvedev now ends the year at 4th position in the ATP rankings.

Medvedev had a good run at the event, defeating the top three players in the ATP within a space of one week, which is a new record, having beaten Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic earlier. Before that, he had beaten 4 more top ten players in the ATP in the weeks leading up to the ATP.

Speaking after the event, Medvedev said; “My level of game here and especially the last two matches I won are just unbelievable. I think it can give me a lot for my future career. To beat Dominic today is probably my best victory of my life. It’s a great boost of confidence for all the slams coming up.”

He also thanked former ATP Finals Champion Nikolay Davydenko for being a source of inspiration for him. Daveydenko, a Russian, was the first to win the ATP Finals title when it first landed in London back in 2009.

Speaking further, he said, “I think for tennis some exciting times are coming.” Medvedev was referring to the fact that a new generation of players was closing onto the big three and that the coming years would see competition tighten the more.

Written by: Leon Osamor