Shocked Jimmy Connors almost ‘passed out’ after hearing what Daniil Medvedev did in his last match

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Daniil Medvedev returned to winning ways last time out in Kazakhstan.

Defeating Adam Walton, Fabian Marozsan, and James Duckworth, Medvedev advanced to his second final of the year at the Almaty Open.

There, Medvedev defeated Corentin Moutet, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, to win his first title since the 2023 Italian Open.

With the win, Medvedev kept himself in contention for a spot in the ATP Finals, something that would have seemed impossible just a few months ago.

Reacting to the Russian’s win, former world number one Jimmy Connors shared a statistic he heard about the Almaty Open final, which shocked him.

Jimmy Connors nearly passed out hearing Daniil Medvedev came to the net 50 times in the Almaty final

During the latest episode of ‘Advantage Connors’, the eight-time Grand Slam champion had this to say about Medvedev’s performance against Moutet in the Almaty Open final.

“At least he is hanging in, and he’s still young. [29] is still young,” he said.

“He got to the net 50 times! When you told me that, I about passed out.

“I know the player that he was playing against, he kind of drew him in, he wanted him to come in to get to the net. But to commit to that, he had to commit to that which he had never done before.

“That is my opinion of him, if he would commit more. Because he has got heavy groundstrokes.”

Connors proceeded to suggest what Medvedev should do over the coming months.

“He needs somebody who puts a harness around him, and when he hits a big heavy groundstroke, I don’t care if you lose the point, at least you are playing it the right way,” he said.

“He needs someone to jerk that harness and get him into the net. Just say lose the point, take three months, and take the pain of maybe getting passed or losing the point. But you are going to learn.”

The American believes Medvedev can still improve, as he recognized his career achievements.

“He is still young enough, because he can get better,” said Connors.

“He has won 21 tournaments, that is pretty good! And he is a Grand Slam winner.”

Medvedev ranks in the top five for title wins among active players on the ATP Tour.

Active ATP players with the most titles

• 1. Novak Djokovic – 100
• T-2. Carlos Alcaraz – 24
• T-2. Alexander Zverev – 24
• T-4. Jannik Sinner – 21
• T-4. Daniil Medvedev – 21
• T-4. Marin Cilic – 21

He’ll be hoping to win his 22nd this week at the Vienna Open in Austria…

Who will Daniil Medvedev play in his opening match in Vienna?

Medvedev will begin his Vienna Open campaign against Portugal’s Nuno Borges on Wednesday, October 22.

The pair have met three times previously, with Medvedev winning on all three occasions.

Should Medvedev extend his winning record to 4-0, he would advance to play either Damir Dzumhur or Moutet in round two.

Things won’t get any easier from then on, however, with the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Alexander Zverev lurking in his half of the draw.

He will no doubt be motivated to give it his all and go the distance in Vienna, to try to keep himself in contention for a spot in Turin.

Daniil Medvedev closes in on spot at the ATP Finals

Every year, the eight players who accumulate the most points on the ATP Tour secure their place in the ATP Finals.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic have already qualified for the event in Turin, leaving the rest fighting for the five remaining spots.

Only time will tell if Medvedev can sneak in above Musetti in eighth, but it will certainly be something to keep an eye on.

He won’t want to get ahead of himself, however, and will now focus on his first-round match against Borges.