Daniil Medvedev started his title defence with a win but the US Open champion was not happy with the ball boys during the ATP Finals, which made its Turin debut on Sunday.
The Russian was angry at the ball boys during the first set tie-breaker as he thought they were not quick enough in relaying the balls during change-overs.
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“This is the Masters, not a Challenger,” he was heard saying. “Not their fault, but the organisers.”
Medvedev lost the first set tie-breaker but bounced back to defeat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in just over two hours.
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“I had zero break points to save, so in a way I was never under pressure,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview.
“I had only two games on Hubert’s serve where I had break points. Super happy to make this work and [that I] managed to get both breaks.”
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Medvedev (55-12) is now tied for the most tour-level wins this season, joining Stefanos Tsitsipas (55-18) and Zverev (55-14).
Injury setback for Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini’s homecoming was spoiled on Sunday evening when the Italian retired early in the second set of his match against Alexander Zverev due to an injury to his left oblique.
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Zverev won a tightly contested first set 7-6(7) in 79 minutes and led 1-0 in the second set when Berrettini was unable to continue.
Following a medical timeout, the home favourite attempted to continue. But after playing one more point, he walked to the net to shake hands. Zverev climbed over the net to embrace and console him.
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