Daniil Medvedev cruised past Ricardas Berankis 6-2, 6-2 in the Los Cabos Open quarter-final, and after the match, he explained what worked for him.
As much as the score may indicate that it was an easy ride for Russian Daniil Medvedev in his quarter-final match-up against Ricardas Berankis, it was not as simple as it may have seemed.
With Medvedev being famous for his defensive playing style, he often wins by outlasting his opponent. Therefore, if he is facing a hard-hitting attacker on the other side of the net, it is harder for him to find his groove.
That is very much the case with Berankis who, liking to go forward, tried to impose himself on the Russian. However, with this attacking style of play, sometimes frequent errors seep into one's game.
And it is precisely that that Medvedev explains why he was able to get through his quarter-final clash in Los Cabos. Speaking to the media after the match, the Russian gave his verdict.
"It was very different. My opponent [today] played very different, much more aggressive. To be honest, against that type of player sometimes you don't have much to do."
"Just try to serve well, bringing the balls back in the court. That's what I managed to do. He missed a little but too much today and that was enough."
Turning his attention to playing on hard courts, Medvedev admitted he loves playing on them. It is his best surface, and this part of the season is arguably his best, with him dominating tournaments in the recent past.
"I like playing on hard courts. I'm playing great here so far. Of course the further you go, the tougher the matches, the tougher the opponents, more pressure. But that's what we like and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."