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Daniil Medvedev overcame a challenge from Frances Tiafoe to reach the 2023 Indian Wells final with a 7-5, 7-6(4) win on Saturday. Courtesy of the win, Medvedev, who is now on a 19-match winning streak, became the first man since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach four finals in five weeks.
For Medvedev, such stats and records are important, something he will remember and cherish for much longer after his retirement. However, he would cherish winning matches and tournaments much more.
Murray ended up winning all four of those finals he contested within five weeks and even won five tournaments in a row to end the 2016 season. If Medvedev, who won back-to-back titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai before Indian Wells, also wins at Indian Wells on Sunday and completes the Sunshine Double in Miami in two weeks, he will emulate that dream run.
While Medvedev is certainly proud of his achievements so far, the World No. 6 is focused solely on winning as much as he can.
"For sure when you do well and then you hear some of these stats, it's just great, but at the same time, I know that it comes with wins," Daniil Medvedev said in a press conference after winning his semi-final on Saturday.
"So first and the most important part is to win. Once you win, you never want to stop. No matter which record maybe I broke or made even or first one, yeah, since 2016 to go in four finals, I just want to win tomorrow."
Medvedev said that he will certainly look back on all his achievements with fondness at the age of 70.
"Yeah, it's just great sometimes when you beat some records or become World No. 1 or win a slam that you know that when you're 70 you can still say, Yeah, I remember the year when I made four finals in a row. That's great," the 27-year-old added.
Having said that, the 2021 US Open champion clarified that he prefers 'living in the moment,' and for now only has his sights on the Indian Wells title and on continuing his winning streak going forward.
"But in the moment, it doesn't matter for me. The most important is to try to win this tournament and to win these matches," Medvedev stated.
In his bid to win a fourth title in back-to-back tournaments, Medvedev will face World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in what is expected to be a thrilling final at Indian Wells on Sunday.
"Don't think there is anyone who can hit this strong" - Daniil Medvedev on Carlos Alcaraz
Focusing on the present moment and what is immediately in front of him, Daniil Medvedev shed light on the challenge he expects from Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's Indian Wells final. Medvedev believes Alcaraz's skills are incomparable to anyone on tour. He is wary of Alcaraz's top-spin laden shots, particularly on forehands, and pace and power on the groundstrokes, which he believes are second to none.
"He has amazing skills which are tough to compare to everyone," Daniil Medvedev said of Carlos Alcaraz.
"Once he hits through the forehand, it's amazing to watch. I don't think there is anyone who can hit this strong and also with topspin," he added.
Medvedev and Alcaraz will face each other for only the second time, having first played at Wimbledon in 2021. Medvedev won their second-round match 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.
Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner 7-6(4), 6-3 in the other semi-final on Saturday.
