In arguably one of the best matches of this year’s ATP Monte Carlo Masters, Daniil Medvedev outlasted and mentally outmuscled Alexander Zverev in a match that was really there for the German to win. Alexander Zverev was twice serving for the match at 5-4 in the second and third sets, but somehow Medvedev denied him on both occasions. The Russian also incredibly saved two match points in the third set tiebreaker to deny the German victory in the topsy turvy late night clash in Monte Carlo.

Medvedev often thrives in the chaos of his own making, and so was the case in his first meeting with Zverev on clay. He was found gesturing and making faces at the jeering crowd a couple of times during this tense and topsy-turvy affair. 

The German Zverev seemed to have all the answers to Medvedev’s play on court, up until the real make-or-break moments where he just choked. Zverev clearly couldn’t handle the nerves and on-court chaos as Medvedev didn’t let up on key points. Medvedev effectively fired multiple forehand winners and used the drop shot multiple times to his advantage. 

The result didn’t come to us as a shock, but the manner in which Zverev crumbled in key moments makes us ask the question:

Is Zverev weak under pressure or is Medvedev a boss at handling the pressure?