Daniil Medvedev is a Main, Masters 1000 and the ATP Finals champion! Nonetheless, now we have not often seen him have a good time a win as he did towards Arthur Fils following the Indian Wells thriller. The Russian prevailed 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 in two hours and 25 minutes.
He emerged on the prime and jumped in pleasure, celebrating his place within the semi-final as he claimed a trophy. Regardless of dropping within the subsequent spherical to Holger Rune, a hard-fought win over Fils meant so much for the previous world no. 1. After we look at his current numbers, it isn’t arduous to see why!
Daniil Medvedev’s response after beating Arthur Fils to succeed in third consecutive Indian Wells SF
Actually leaping for pleasure 😂
I’ve by no means seen Daniil look this comfortable after a win
Meddy in his celebration period 🐙
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 13, 2025
Daniil has not received an ATP titles since Rome two years in the past. It has additionally been a 12 months with out Medvedev within the ATP remaining. The Russian reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final since Miami final 12 months, which additionally meant him so much.
Daniil defeated Tommy Paul within the earlier spherical, incomes a uncommon top-20 victory after falling 9 instances within the earlier 11 encounters towards the rivals from the talked about group. To make issues much more attention-grabbing, Medvedev has been struggling within the deciding tie breaks.
He entered it with a horrible 1-8 rating for the reason that 2022 ATP Cup and prevailed regardless of standing two factors away from dropping. The defeat might have straightforward occurred, with Fils main 4-2 within the decider. Daniil bounced again and seized the third match level within the tie break for an uncharacteristic celebration.
Daniil Medvedev, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
The Russian claimed 4 factors greater than his rival. He misplaced serve 4 instances because of the second set and responded with three breaks on his tally, together with the essential one within the second a part of the decider. Arthur hit extra winners but additionally sprayed over 50 unforced errors.
The younger gun hit 4 service winners greater than his rival and outplayed him 23-4 on the internet! Medvedev needed to dig deep from the baseline to erase that deficit, forging a 62-41 benefit and remaining aggressive. To make issues even tighter, they stayed neck and neck within the shortest, mid-range and most prolonged exchanges.
Daniil grabbed a break within the third sport of the opener after Arthur’s smash error. Medvedev missed one other break likelihood in sport 5 and served nicely within the remaining ones, wrapping up the opener 6-4 in 41 minutes.
Daniil Medvedev, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Fils stepped in and dominated the second set, leaving a top-10 rival behind. The younger gun grabbed a break within the second sport and offered three high-quality holds for a 5-2 lead. The Russian missed a backhand within the eighth sport and confronted three set factors.
Arthur transformed the second, successful the set 6-2 and introducing a decider after an hour and 16 minutes. The returners stepped in early within the remaining set and offered 4 breaks in 5 video games from 1-1. Fils led 4-2 earlier than Medvedev landed a backhand crosscourt winner in sport seven to erase the deficit.
Daniil Medvedev, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
They served nicely within the remaining 5 video games and launched a tie break. Fils missed a routine forehand at 1-0 and fell 3-2 behind after a free slice. The Frenchman pressured the Russian’s mistake within the sixth level for 3-3 and extra drama.
Arthur received two factors on serve for 5-4 earlier than netting a routine backhand at 5-5, providing Daniil a match level. The younger gun denied it with a forehand assault and prolonged the battle. Medvedev welcomed the rival’s forehand mistake for the second match level.
A top-10 participant sprayed a backhand error and saved his rival in rivalry. Daniil lastly transformed the third match level after Arthur’s volley error, transferring excessive and reaching his first Masters 1000 remaining in nearly a 12 months.