Angelique Kerber and Daniil Medvedev Win Sydney International 2018 Singles Titles
(January 13, 2018) Two-time major champion Angelique Kerber of Germany won the women’s title at the Sydney International, beating Australian No. 1 Ash Barty in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. This is former world No.1’s first title since the 2016 U.S. Open. She defeated No. 2 seed Venus Williams in the first round.
“The draw was also not easy, I was not seeded, so, I was expecting from the beginning, to have really tough matches,” said Kerber. “I came here to just play match by match, and I was not looking too far ahead. I’m very proud how I was able to play every single day.
“I had a great week. I played good tennis. the final against Ash (Barty) was not easy, but I was able to play my game in important moments. So I’m really happy and proud to win the first title in 2018.”
“This tournament is amazing for me, because in seven matches I can say that maybe that was my best tournament mentally. I didn’t break one racquet. I didn’t go crazy.”@DaniilMedwed #SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/KTejrNsY6E
— Sydney International (@SydneyTennis) January 13, 2018
In the men’s final, qualifier Daniil Medvedev (RUS) proved too strong for wild card and hometown hero Alex De Minaur, beating him in a thrilling three set showdown 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. The victory makes Medvedev only the fourth qualifier to take out the Sydney International title since 2003. It’s the Russian’s first ATP title.
“I’m really happy,” said the winner. “I mean, to make it through the qualies, there were so many circumstances. I wanted to go to Auckland, because my girlfriend had a visa to New Zealand, and not even one guy withdrew from Auckland. Then finally four guys withdrew on-site, but of course I couldn’t go there already and now I win here. So [it’s] just amazing.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t make the comeback in the third set without the crowd. It was tough, but I’m really happy to manage this.”
“This tournament is amazing for me, because in seven matches I can say that maybe that was my best tournament mentally,” said Medvedev. “I need to be humble with this, because to win this tournament is good, but I want to win some rounds in Australia. Maybe more than just some rounds. Against Thanasi, I’m sure the crowd will be crazy in Melbourne. It’s a five-set match, so I just need to do my best at recovery to be good on Tuesday.”
The 21-year-old Medvedev joins Karen Khachanov (2016 Chengdu) and Andrey Rublev (2017 Umag) as active Russians under the age of 22 who have won an ATP World Tour title.
De Minaur, who was the youngest finalist in Sydney since Lleyton Hewitt in 2000, advanced to his first ATP World Tour final one week after notching his first semi-final at the Brisbane International. The World No. 167, who is projected to soar to No. 127 in the ATP Rankings on Monday, was the lowest-ranked Sydney finalist since Andrei Cherkasov (No. 223) in 1989.
“It’s been a roller coaster, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way,” said De Minaur. “I have enjoyed every second of it. It’s been a thrill, and I just want it to keep on going.”
The Sydney International Wheelchair Tennis Open took place at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on Saturday. In the quad singles No.1 seed David Wagner (USA) battled his way through a tough three setter to beat No.2 seed Dylan Alcott (Vic) 3-6 6-4 6-4.
No.7 seed Shingo Kunieda (JPN) beat No.2 seed Alfie Hewett (GBR) 6-4 6-4 in the men’s singles while tournament top seed Yui Kamiji recorded a fighting victory over No.5 seed Aniek Van Koo 3-6 6-2 6-3.
Saturday’s finals rounded off a week of tennis that saw No.3 seeds Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN) and Yifan Xu (CHN) claim the women’s doubles title over No.1 seeds Latisha Chan (TPE) and Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 6-3 6-1 and top seeds Lukasz Kubot (POL) and Marcelo Melo (BRA) beat Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) and Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-3 6-4 for the men’s doubles title.
