Medvedev doesn't want to practice much with Alcaraz

Canada After practicing with Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP 1000 Rogers Cup, Daniil Medvedev hopes to meet his junior in big matches instead of practice sessions.

"It was great, but hopefully we don't do it together often," Medvedev told the ATP on August 7. "Because I hope to see him in the semi-finals, finals of tournaments. You don't practice every day with your big rival. One, two or three times a year is fine."

Medvedev (left) and Alcaraz during a practice session in Toronto on August 6.

Before training together in Toronto, Canada, Medvedev and Alcaraz practiced together in Indian Wells, USA in March this year, also at a North American ATP 1000 tournament. At that tournament, both players reached the final. Alcaraz won the title after defeating Medvedev 6-3, 6-2. Both hope to do the same at the Rogers Cup. Alcaraz is in the same group as Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Jannik Sinner, while Medvedev is in the other group with Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz.

After a practice set, Medvedev highly appreciated his junior - who is considered the strongest in the world at the moment. "Alcaraz can score winners from every shot, he is a great talent," said the Russian player. "Sometimes he misses because he is not in the best shape, but overall it was a quality practice session."

Alcaraz comes into the Rogers Cup buoyed by his Wimbledon triumph, where he beat Novak Djokovic in the final. If he wins the Rogers Cup, the Spaniard will be guaranteed the top seed at the US Open, given his large points lead over Nole. Alcaraz has six ATP titles this year, winning 47 matches and losing just four. Medvedev also has five titles in 2023, including the Masters in Miami and Rome.

The ATP 1000 Rogers Cup is held in two cities in Canada. This year, the men's tournament is held in Toronto, while the women's tournament is in Montreal. Medvedev won the last time the ATP Rogers Cup was held in Toronto in 2021. Alcaraz made his debut last year, losing his opening match to Tommy Paul. That also meant he didn't have to defend many points in this year's tournament.

Medvedev and Alcaraz are scheduled to play their Rogers Cup match tomorrow, August 9. Medvedev will face Matteo Arnaldi while Alcaraz will face either Ben Shelton or Bernabe Zapata Miralles.

Vy Anh

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