2019 UO, SF Daniil Medvedev 결승 진출 및 결과(나달 승)

[늘보]

"I'm smarter than the average bear!"

Yogi Bear's classic catchphrase often overstated the cartoon character's brilliance. For Daniil Medvedev, whose last name comes from the Russian word for "bear," the expression‎ is accurate.

And while Yogi Bear famously frolicked in the fictional Jellystone Park, Medvedev's semifinal run in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is the real deal.

Nicknamed "Meddy Bear," the 23-year-old was called a "genius" by coach Gilles Cervara in a Tuesday press conference.

"His game is like his personality: very different," said Cervara, with whom Medvedev speaks French. (He learned his coach's native language in two years.) "I said already once it's like to coach a genius. Sometimes a genius, you don't understand them. They are different."

For part of his US Open run, the Russian was more of an evil genius. Now, by "just being myself," he has won over the New York crowd through an understated effort worthy of study in a college PR class. (Not that Medvedev would have taken that particular class⁠—he studied physics and math at a specialized school before graduating early and enrolling at a university in his native Moscow to study economics.)

Without fully rehashing a well-told tale, it all started in the Russian's third-round match against crowd-favorite Feliciano Lopez, when he battled his opponent and the crowd for a gritty four-set win. After the victory, he goaded a Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd that had been firmly in his Lopez's corner. (With good reason, as Medvedev later said he understood: "What I got I deserved.")

His brazen remarks made headlines and were featured in the lead in that evening's SportsCenter. Entering New York with a relatively low profile (despite having just crashed the ATP's Top 5 after starting 2019 outside of the Top 50), this latest drama launched Medvedev into a new stratosphere of fame.

Following his Round-of-16 win, he doubled down with similar post-match comments on the same court, turning Armstrong into his own evil lair.

You could almost envision Medvedev as a cartoon villain, delightfully twirling his moustache.

That was the delicious description of the viral on-court interviews in a previous USOpen.org piece.

But after dancing his way into his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal, Medvedev the mastermind began to walk it back in his post-match press conference.

"Last match, I was an idiot, to be honest," he admitted, discussing the third-round drama. "I did some things that I'm not proud of and that I'm working on to be a better person on the court, because I do think I'm a good person out of the court."

And then, this time with sincerity, he paid homage to the fans: "We all know how New York crowd can be. It's probably the most electric crowd in the world... Hopefully it was fun for them and for me."

Less than 48 hours later, his journey from heel to hero was complete⁠—even if his title chase is still very much in progress. Medvedev's first career Arthur Ashe Stadium entrance was met with a smattering of good-natured boos. After he defeated 2016 US Open champ Stan Wawrinka in a topsy-turvy quarterfinal, Medvedev made the most of his chance to address the biggest venue in tennis.

"How would you describe your relationship to the New York crowd," asked Tom Rinaldi. The crowd roared, as if to answer for him.

"What I've done is not good. So many people support me still. So many people like my interviews, so many people don't like me," he said, also referencing the "electric" atmosphere at his matches and the "controversy" he created.

The well-read Russian has previously detailed how he enjoys reading tennis articles, and it was clear he was keeping tabs on his own press over the past week.

"I can just say, I try to be myself guys!" It was met with even louder cheers of approval. "I have to say, sorry guys, and thank you."

He may have made enemies in Armstrong, but he turned them into friends by the time he walked off Ashe.

READ MORE: The mercurial Daniil Medvedev

The Russian has already surpassed his pre-tournament goal of reaching a first Slam quarterfinal. Despite coming into the US Open as the hottest player on tour, he wisely kept his expectations in check.

READ MORE: Medvedev named US Open Series Breakout Performer

His 19-2 record since the start of August include a comeback, three-set win over Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati. A major part of the turnaround in that match was Medvedev's dangerously aggressive second serves in the last two sets, after the Serb picked him apart on second-serve points in the early going. Against Wawrinka in the US Open quarters, he won ugly in what he called a "strange" match that also included a range of clever tactics.

It's all evidence that his intelligence translates to the court.

But all those recent wins led to more and more matches, and though Medvedev had six days off between his Cincinnati Masters title and his opening-round match in New York, his body is still feeling the effects.

He's dealt with problems in his adductors and quadriceps throughout the fortnight, fighting through it with the help of painkillers.

For all his smarts, there is one thing Medvedev did not know⁠⁠—by virtue of winning his top-half quarterfinal on Tuesday, he got two full days off before Friday's men’s semifinals.

"That's a huge advantage regarding what happened to my leg," he said in press after happily learning the news. "I think, as I say, I don't want to say anything yet, but I think it should be okay."

While the Bronx cheers from the Queens crowd helped him battle through the injuries in Rounds 3 and 4, the extra day of rest might do the trick for his semifinal. Should he outwit Grigor Dimitrov and reach the championship match, a potential rematch with Rafael Nadal⁠⁠—who trounced him, 6-3, 6-0, in the Rogers Cup final⁠⁠—awaits.

Consider it another chance for the Russian to show us all what he's learned.

August 30, 2019 - Daniil Medvedev reacts to winning his match against Feliciano Lopez at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA)