Daniil Medvedev put in an impressive performance to beat his friend and fellow countryman Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-2 to get off to a winning start at the Nitto ATP Finals.
The Russian pair know each other as well as any players on the ATP Tour, being so close that Rublev is godfather to Medvedev’s daughter.
But after being drawn together in Red Group, all pleasantries were to be put aside in their first match of the season finale.
Rublev arrived in Italy in good form, after reaching the semi-finals of the Paris Masters and making the final of the Shanghai Masters – where he was defeated by Hubert Hurkacz.
A double fault to open up the match in Turin was far from confidence inducing, but he recovered for a challenging hold.
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With 2020 champion Medvedev waltzing through his first service game, it was soon back on Rublev, who was forced to save two break points to keep things on serve.
Despite weathering the early storm, Rublev gifted Medvedev the first break of the game, with a wild smash going long after being presented a simple opportunity to volley a winner from the net on break point.
Rublev provided an aggressive response, attacking the ball well on the Medvedev serve, but he passed up three break point opportunities and his opponent took a 5-3 lead.
With Rublev holding for 5-4, Medvedev had the chance to serve the set out and what followed was an exceptional game of tennis which lasted over 11 minutes.
The pair produced exquisite rallies and dramatic moments, with Rublev passing up four break points before Medvedev, at the fourth time of asking, converted a set point to take control of the match.
The exertions, missed opportunities and unforced errors of the first set seemed to hang over Rublev at the start of the second as he suffered a break of serve in the very first game.
Andrey Rublev struggled to keep his emotions in check against Daniil Medvedev
However, his agility and resilience, matched with a sharp forehand and precise backhand, made it ever more challenging for Rublev to hit a winner past him.
Rublev continued to battle valiantly but he was simply worn down by Medvedev, who took advantage of his opponent slipping on the court to tuck away a break point winner – which gave him a 4-1 lead.
A mixture of the fall and things not going his way had Rublev looking on the verge of tears.
Medvedev was soon serving for the match and he closed the game out to love to take an impressive win over his friend and compatriot.
Before the match, Rublev said: “With Medvedev, he’s killing you slowly. Taking his time. Enjoying the moment and you feel like you are dying, little by little.”
After completing his victory, Medvedev was asked if that is what he did to Rublev.
“I like to play aggressive on my serve or the first shot after the return. But Rublev plays such a style that he doesn’t give me any other option because I don’t have the power of Alcaraz or Tsitsipas on my forehand,” he said.
“So it’s a bit of a different style where I try to go left & right & use my opponent. He’s very good at this game.
“What happens is we are both good at this game. As you could see in the first set, we have to run, run, run, run, run! That’s not the case against everyone. But against him, that’s the only chance I have.”
