Daniil Medvedev feels no added pressure since breaking a 15-year stranglehold on the top two of the FedEx ATP Rankings a week ago. It would have been understandable had he carried the weight of expectation on the eve of the Miami Open presented by Itau, where he arrived as top seed.
Last Monday, the Russian became the first player other than Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to be ranked in the top two since 2005. It only bolstered his belief that he belonged among the elite.
“It’s been already one week, I could feel maybe pressure, [but] no, I feel like it just gives me some energy boost,” Medvedev said. “I just want to play better and better to prove to myself I deserve this and hopefully I can show some great tennis in Miami.”
The Russian started the season by winning all four matches he played to lead his nation to ATP Cup glory in Melbourne (d. Italy), before he advanced to his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open last month (l. to Djokovic). Victory in the Open 13 Provence final in Marseille – his 10th career ATP Tour title – last Sunday was an early gift, a day before his new career-high ranking was released.
