Daniil Medvedev jokingly thanked umpire Carlos Bernardes after successful the primary clay-court title of his profession on the Italian Open. The chair official overruled one among Holger Rune's pictures and referred to as it out on championship level, handing Medvedev a 7-5 7-5 victory. And the world No 3 admitted that he by no means anticipated to win a Masters 1000 on the clay given his earlier dislike for the floor.

Medvedev loved a shocking turnaround in Rome this 12 months, as he got here into the match having by no means gained a match. The 27-year-old now ends the fortnight because the champion, lifting the twentieth title of his profession and his first on the clay.

The third seed rallied to win the final 4 video games of the match from 3-5 down within the second set and clinched victory on a weird championship level which noticed the umpire name one among Rune's pictures lengthy on the baseline mid-rally. Both males accepted the choice and Medvedev fell to his knees in celebration.

The former world No 1 then paid tribute to the chair official in his victory speech as he admitted he would have simply saved on taking part in. "I have to say thanks to Carlos, I don’t see him," the newly-crowned champion stated.

He added: "Because I actually thought the last ball was in and it was out by far. And he saw it first so thank you Carlos, I don’t see him but thanks a lot. Otherwise I would continue the point." And Medvedev continued to share his disbelief at successful a Masters 1000 title on clay given his document on the floor.

After congratulating Rune and thanking his group, the 27-year-old instructed his spouse and coach: "Who would've thought I would be standing here? I honestly didn't, I don't know about you guys but I honestly didn't think so. But it happened, I'm really happy." Medvedev had already admitted that he did not count on to raise the trophy throughout his pre-ceremony interview, confessing that he "hated" the clay.

"I mean, I always want to believe in myself and I always try to do my best, I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world. At the same time honestly, I didn’t believe much I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually I hated it, I hated playing on it, I didn’t feel good on it like nothing is working so I can continue forever," he stated.