BSP-02 Russia’s Medvedev downs Johnson for ATP Winston-Salem title

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BSP-02

TENNIS-USA-ATP

Russia’s Medvedev downs Johnson for ATP Winston-Salem title

WINSTON-SALEM, United States, Aug 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Danill Medvedev
became the first Russian champion in Winston-Salem tournament history on
Saturday, beating American Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-4 for his second career ATP
title.

Medvedev won all 12 sets he played this week as he held serve in the semi-
finals and the championship match of the final tune-up tournament before next
week’s US Open.

Some time between a second-set stumble in the first round and his
dominating net play in Saturday’s final, the 22-year-old Medvedev came to
grips with what he wanted to achieve.

“In my first match I was up 6-4, 5-0 and the guy came back to 5-4, his
serve. I was thinking, how am I going to play six matches to win this
tournament,” Medvedev said.

“I said, ‘I am so tired. It was hot. It was humid. I thought this
tournament is not for me. I am only here for one hour and I am already almost
cramping.

“But that is how tennis is. I am happy to win the title.”

Medvedev was too much for Johnson at the net where the Russian won 12 of
13 points. He blasted 20 winners and made just 12 unforced errors to 28 for
Johnson in the 84-minute match.

“It’s funny,” Medvedev said. “Before the tournament I was trying to decide
if I should play here or go get some rest and training before the US Open.

“But, of course, I think now I would have regretted not coming here.”

Medvedev won his maiden ATP title in Sydney, Australia earlier this year
after making it to the semi-finals of the Tour’s Next Gen Finals tournament a
year ago.

The six-foot-six right hander improved to 4-1 overall against Johnson.

Johnson was trying to become the first American in eight years to win
titles on three different surfaces in a season. Eight players have done it
since American Sam Querrey in 2010.

Johnson, 28, won the US Men’s Clay Court Championship title in Houston in
April and the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on grass in Rhode Island in
July.

“I was really was hoping to be last man standing today,” said Johnson.

Johnson’s best shot was his forehand but Medvedev did a good job of using
his superior backhand to pin the American in the back corner.

“He played really well. Didn’t make many errors, and unfortunately, it
wasn’t my best day of tennis,” Johnson said. “I didn’t find a way to get it
done on some of the big points and hopefully I’ll clean up a few things when
I play on Monday at the US Open.”

Medvedev will take his added confidence to the US Open, where he will face
fellow Russian Evgeny Donskov in the opening round.

“He played two other young Russians earlier this year and beat them both.
I’m going to try to not be the third one,” Medvedev said.

BSS/AFP/MSY/0827 hrs