Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Rotterdam match.
These two last met over two years ago, when the then-37-year-old Swiss veteran upset the younger Russian in three sets (6:4, 6:7, 6:3). However, Wawrinka is now approaching his 40th birthday. Does he still have the energy to challenge Medvedev this time?
Stan Wawrinka
Age is clearly taking its toll. The Swiss has lost in the first round of his last three tournaments, including the Australian Open. Last season, he faced top-20 players four times and managed just one win – against fellow Russian Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 event in Stockholm last October. However, Rublev was going through a rough spell himself, failing to progress beyond a quarter-final in any tournament from August onwards.
Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev’s recent setback came at the Australian Open, where he suffered a shock second-round defeat to world No. 121 Learner Tien in a five-set battle (3:6, 6:7, 7:6, 6:1, 6:7). However, throughout last autumn, the Russian only lost to higher-ranked players – twice to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, and once to Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz. His only defeat to a lower-ranked opponent in that period was against world No. 24 Alexei Popyrin at the Paris Masters.
Stan Wawrinka vs Daniil Medvedev Prediction
Despite his Melbourne disappointment, Medvedev should get past the veteran Wawrinka. It won’t be an entirely smooth ride, but a few key breaks will be enough for the Russian to avoid tiebreaks and secure a comfortable win.
