Daniil Medvedev is the number three seed at the ATP Finals and undoubtedly the third-best player on the ATP Tour this season.
Medvedev is one of four players who have won the season-ending championships before and will arrive in Turin this season with a score to settle after last year's disappointment. His record at this tournament points to one of two scenarios - either win or bust.
In four trips, Medvedev has been eliminated in the group stage twice and reached the final on two occasions (winning it in 2020). Can he go all the way this season? Here are five reasons why he might.
5. Former Champion
Being a former champion at the ATP Finals means that Medvedev has the formula for success. In fact, the Russian reached back-to-back finals in 2020 and 2021, losing his second final to Alexander Zverev.
In the past ten years, only Zverev and Novak Djokovic won the ATP Finals more than once. If one other player is capable of joining that group, it has to be the World No. 3.
4. Expect A Response From 2022
Medvedev lost all three group-stage matches last year, remarkably, each in a third-set tiebreak. Talk about fine margins. He never lacked self-drive, but maybe his confidence was drained a bit last year and he wasn't winning the bigger points.
Medvedev has got that killer instinct back this season, winning the second-most titles on tour this season. Surely, he can't fare any worse than last season, so expect a fiery response from Medvedev, potentially even topping his group. He'll use last year's misfortune as motivation.
3. Only Man To Beat Each Of Djokovic, Alcaraz & Sinner in 2023
Daniil Medvedev will most likely need to overcome one of tennis' most formidable trio this season, those being Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner.
Medvedev is the only man who has beaten all three of them this season. He is not going to be playing second fiddle to either of them in a matchup at the ATP Finals.
2. Most Wins In 2023
There are a couple of key stats that Novak Djokovic doesn't hold this season partly because of Daniil Medvedev's presence. Medvedev calls 2023 as his "best season" despite not winning a Grand Slam title.
And the numbers suggest he has every right to make such a pronouncement. Medvedev has won the most matches on the ATP Tour (64) and was in contention to finish the season as the year-end No. 1 at some point.
He has played some flawless tennis with his calm disposition. His counterpunching abilities could send his opponent's frustration levels off the scale. Expect Medvedev to add to his win column in Turin.
1. Medvedev Is The King Of Hard Courts In 2023
No player has won more matches on hard courts this year than Daniil Medvedev. The Russian has won 47 matches on the surface (including indoors).
Four of his five titles this season have been on hard courts, with one of them coming under the roof in Rotterdam. Such sterling numbers make him a solid pick to win his second title at the season finale.
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