Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev top favorites? The poker has started

Daniil Medvedev has come up with his own logic when it comes to the question of the top favorite at the Australian Open.

“I always say that the player who has the highest ranking is favourite. So now it’s Rafa, because he’s won 20 Grand Slam titles,” said the US Open champion with a grin in the Eurosport interview .

Knowing full well that as number two in the world rankings he is, on paper, the man with the best chance of winning the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup trophy.

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In fact, along with Zverev, Medvedev had the smoothest preparation for the first Grand Slam event of the season.

1st round: Medvedev wins smoothly – highlights

He won three of his four singles at the ATP Cup, and the Russian proved by reaching the final last year that he can cope well with the conditions at Melbourne Park.

The start this year was also quite useful, Medvedev beat Swiss Henri Laaksonen 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Wilander: “Medvedev the clear favorite”

But is that why it’s the top favourite?

The 25-year-old publicly denies this – in contrast to the three-time Australian Open winner Mats Wilander. “Daniil defended so well in the first match against Henri Laaksonen and played patiently. If Novak is not there, then for me he is the best player in the world and the clear favorite,” said the Swede at Eurosport.

However, Medvedev faces a difficult transition in round two.

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It’s against Nick Kyrgios – and he proved that he’s in good shape and knows exactly how to turn the arenas into a cauldron at the “home game”. Opener against Liam Broady impressively.

Zverev has a quartet on the list

When it comes to ranking, according to Medvedev, Alexander Zverev from Hamburg has the best cards. World number three started with one 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 1, 7: 6 (7: 1) against Daniel Altmaier into the tournament and of course he is also thinking about the new balance of power in Melbourne.

In the semifinals, the Olympic champion might have met defending champion Djokovic. Has now settled.

Zverev exclusively: “Then Mischa can throw me out the window”

Zverev answers the favorite question with a mixture of understatement and healthy self-confidence. “When you talk about the possible winners, you have to talk about Medvedev, Tsitsipas,” said the 24-year-old, but: “I’ve also played well in the past six months.” Oh yes, Rafael Nadal “played incredibly well in training together,” Zverev assured.

The third in the world rankings also has four favorites on the list – although Nadal and Tsitsipas had fallen off somewhat in public perception in the past few weeks. The Spaniard because he was out longer after a corona infection, the Greek because he was plagued by elbow problems.

They seem to be overcome at first, Tsitsipas swept Mikael Ymer in Round one 6: 2, 6: 4, 6: 3 from the place.

Becker: “Whoever calls Nadal a Dark Horse…”

Nadal, on the other hand, showed before the Australian Open that even at the age of 35 he was still capable of a comeback with a bang. the Superstar won the Melbourne pre-season and was followed by a sovereign 6: 1, 6: 4, 6: 2 win against Marcos Giron at the start of the Australian Open.

Fine touch! Nadal fast on Grand Slam comeback

The clay court king is back in title form Down Under. Experts who still have doubts about this should take the announcement from Eurosport expert Becker to heart: “Anyone who calls Nadal a dark horse has no idea about tennis.”

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