Western and Southern Open 2019: Daniil Medvedev Dominates David Goffin in Final

Gill Clark @@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IIAugust 18, 2019

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 18: Daniil Medvedev of Russia returns a shot to David Goffin of Belgium during the Men's Final of the Western and Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Daniil Medvedev continued his fine form by seeing off David Goffin in straight sets to win the 2019 Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati on Sunday:

Western & Southern Open @CincyTennis
FIRST career Masters 1000 title! 🏆 @DaniilMedwed defeats David Goffin 7-6(3), 6-4 to become the youngest #CincyTennis champion since Andy Murray in 2008. https://t.co/rN33bcsXyr

The ninth seed, who came from a set down to beat defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, took a deserved victory to claim his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 title.

The Russian needed a tiebreak to take the first set and then broke early in the second on his way to clinching the biggest title of his career.

Medvedev started the final strongly and made Goffin work hard in his opening service game:

Live Tennis @livetennis
#Goffin wins a punishing 33-shot rally to bring up game point, and he seals the game with a wrong-footing forehand winner. 1-1. Tasty start. https://t.co/SoSgEqABTM

The Russian was showing no signs of nerves in only his second Masters final and broke his opponent in his second service game to move into a 3-1 lead:

ATP Tour @ATP_Tour
David Goffin had been strong this week when facing break point. But @DaniilMedwed hits a big backhand to convert his first break point chance, then holds for a 4-1 lead. 👏 #CincyTennis https://t.co/IMX3Teqoqy

Yet the Belgian 16th seed produced a strong response to level the match. He conjured up two fine backhand winners down the line to break back and then saved two break points to hold and level the match at 4-4.

The first set went all the way to the tiebreak with Medvedev emerging as the stronger player. Goffin lost all five of his service points and handed his opponent the first set with a double-fault:

Tennis writer Matt Zemek offered his view on the Russian:

Matt Zemek @mzemek
1) Medvedev is made to work hard by his opponent 2) Medvedev knows he needs shorter, cheaper points 3) Medvedev wins shorter, cheaper points The intersection between knowing you have to do something and actually getting it done. Ultimate resourcefulness.

Medvedev struck early in the second set, breaking Goffin in his first service game to close in on the title, and this time the Russian did not allow his opponent a way back into the set.

The ninth seed was dominant on serve, holding to love to move 4-2 ahead and then producing another solid service game to move to the brink of victory.

Medvedev did show a few signs of nerves as he served for the match. Goffin managed to force two break points, but the Russian pulled out three consecutive aces to end the Belgian's hopes:

Live Tennis @livetennis
Daniil #Medvedev wins the Cincinnati title! What a way to finish! The Russian is in some trouble at 15-40, but he sends down a 123mph second serve (!), followed by three consecutive aces to close out the 7-6 6-4 victory. A stunning effort. First Masters 1000 title! https://t.co/ajhYdwwXXd

The win is a deserved reward for Medvedev, who has been in sparkling form in recent weeks. The result also means that he will rise to No. 5 in the rankings on Monday.