US Open 2022 : Medvedev ultimate favourite ?
The world number 1 seems to be well-placed to make the back to back at Flushing Meadows.
With the forced withdrawal of Novak Djokovic, his opponent in last year’s final, and Sasha Zverev’s injury, there are fewer big-name opponents for the Russian this year. If he were to retain his crown, he would win his second Grand Slam title and be sure to finish the year as the top-ranked player in the ATP rankings.
But there is one person who could knock him off his perch, and that is his runner-up, Rafael Nadal. He will make his return in the US Grand Slam after his withdrawal from last year. The Majorcan will have no points to defend and has a great chance of becoming world number one again…
IF :
– Nadal reaches the quarter-finals, Medvedev and Tsitsipas do not make the final, Alcaraz and Ruud do not win the tournament
– Nadal reaches the semi-finals, none of the other contenders listed are crowned
– Nadal loses in the final to anyone other than Medvedev
– (And of course, if he wins the US Open)
What’s Med worth so far ?
The Russian has not won another Grand Slam title since winning last year. He lost the Australian Open final to Rafa Nadal.
The overall assessment of his year so far is that he doesn’t seem to be as strong as he was at the time of his title win (it must be said that he set the bar very high). His American tour started perfectly with his title in Mexico at the ATP 250 in Los Cabos by beating Cameron Norrie in the final (7-5, 6-0).
But then he had to face the unpredictable Nick Kyrgios at the Montreal Masters 1000. No such luck, as the Aussie was building on his incredible momentum on grass this year, and in such good form, he is capable of beating absolutely anyone. Daniil lost in three sets (7-6, 4-6, 2-6) and then again at the next Masters 1000 (Cincinnati), but in the semis this time, against Stefanos Tsitsipas (who lost in the final against the great surprise Borna Coric) in three sets (6-7, 6-3, 3-6).
These defeats sum up the slump in the world’s No. 1 player’s fortunes, even though he has a crown and 2,000 ATP points to defend in New York. Will he manage to get the back to back and become unplayable again like last year or will he “only” be satisfied with a very good level ?
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