Daniil Medvedev will wrap up the season within the top-5 for the fifth time within the earlier six years. Nevertheless, the Russian prolonged his good year-end no. 1 streak with out profitable a single ATP title this season, a feat he didn’t count on in the beginning of 2024!
Thus, Medvedev turned the primary year-end top-5 participant with out a title since Jimmy Connors 37 years in the past! The American reached three finals and 7 extra semi-finals in 1987, producing constant outcomes at 35 however failing to make an additional step and raise a trophy.
🤦♂️ Incroyable : Quand Daniil Medvedev disjoncte complètement et se donne en spectacle face à Fritz !
Le Russe s’incline en deux units (6-4, 6-3) lors du premier match des ATP Finals, à suivre sur Eurosport #HomeOfTennis pic.twitter.com/IKGmN0Ls8l
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) November 10, 2024 Jimmy Connors’ 1987 run
Connors claimed ATP titles between 1972 and 1984. His streak resulted in 1985, and he couldn’t change that within the subsequent two years. The veteran had notable leads to 1987, ending contained in the top-5 however failing to raise a trophy. Jimmy was 52-19 that yr, dropping ten of 11 matches versus the top-10 rivals.
Jimmy Connors, Wimbledon 1987© Stream screenshot
The American began the season in Philadelphia in February reached the ultimate every week later in Memphis, retiring in opposition to Stefan Edberg within the second set. Connors performed effectively on the sturdy Key Biscayne occasion, profitable 5 best-of-five matches earlier than falling to Ivan Lendl within the semi-final.
He was the finalist in Orlando in March, dropping to Christo Van Rensburg in three units. The veteran superior to the final eight at Roland Garros, with Boris Becker beating him in straight units. They met a couple of weeks later within the Queen’s ultimate, and the German prevailed 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Retaining his good run, Connors embraced the Wimbledon semi-final, dealing with the eventual champion Pat Money and dropping in straight units. His nemesis Ivan Lendl halted him within the semi-final in Washington and Montreal, stopping him from chasing the trophy.
Jimmy Connors, US Open 1987© Stream screenshot
Jimmy confronted Stefan Edberg within the Cincinnati semi-final, taking solely 5 video games and bouncing again on the US Open. The house favourite performed effectively en path to the semi-final, dealing with Ivan Lendl once more and failing to take a set. The American competed in Tel Aviv in October.
Connors reached the semi-final for the seventh time within the earlier eight tournaments earlier than dropping to Amos Mansdorf. The 35-year-old certified for the ATP Finals and suffered losses to Ivan Lendl, Brad Gilbert and Boris Becker.
Daniil Medvedev’s close-but-not-enough season
Daniil Medvedev claimed a number of ATP titles in six seasons between 2018 and 2023. He performed constant tennis within the first a part of the yr and notched one other year-end top-5 end. The Russian’s streak ended this season regardless of a 46-21 run, together with six top-10 victories.
Daniil reached two finals within the early a part of the season and added 4 extra semi-finals, lacking the decisive strikes in pivotal duels. Medvedev might have prevented this story already in Melbourne in January. The Russian reached the Australian Open ultimate and confronted Jannik Sinner.
Daniil Medvedev, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Daniil constructed two units to like benefit. Nevertheless, like in opposition to Rafael Nadal in 2022, he skilled an enormous blow and fell in 5 units, extending his poor run within the Main finals. Medvedev fell within the Dubai semi-final and performed effectively in Indian Wells, notching his second ultimate of the season.
Carlos Alcaraz prevailed within the opener and stood sturdy in set quantity two en path to a trophy, leaving Daniil empty handed. The Russian reached the Miami Masters semi-final and took three video games in opposition to Jannik Sinner. Medvedev didn’t play effectively on clay, amassing one quarter-final in Madrid.
He bounced again at Wimbledon, ousting two top-10 rivals, together with Jannik Sinner in a five-setter. Daniil grabbed the opener in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz earlier than falling in 4 units. The Russian couldn’t observe the Spaniard’s tempo from set quantity two, ending his run within the final 4.
Daniil Medvedev, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Medvedev didn’t play effectively on the Olympic Video games, Toronto and Cincinnati, altering surfaces and struggling to adapt. He modified that on the US Open, reaching the quarter-final however falling to Jannik Sinner in 4 units. Daniil skilled two tight Laver Cup defeats earlier than getting into Beijing.
The Russian superior to the final 4 earlier than dropping to Carlos Alcaraz, struggling behind the preliminary shot and getting damaged 5 occasions. Jannik Sinner bested him in Shanghai and on the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. Medvedev misplaced steam within the closing levels of the season.
He misplaced to Alexei Popyrin on the Paris Masters and skilled two losses on the ATP Finals. Daniil wrapped up the season with 4 losses within the ultimate 5 matches and missed an ATP title for the primary time since 2017.
