Medvedev beats Johnson for Winston-Salem title

Russia ’ s Daniil Medvedev turned back American Steve Johnson 6 – 4 6 – 4 at the Winston – Salem Open on Saturday to win his second career title in a tune – up for next week ’ s U. S . Open .
The tall 22 – year – old won all 12 sets he played in North Carolina and was not broken in the semi – finals or final .

The victory was the fourth in world number 57 Medvedev ’ s five meetings with Johnson and far different than the last .
Johnson , ranked 34 th globally , won that match in Eastbourne earlier this year in just 76 minutes and created eight break points . But Johnson struggled on Medvedev ’ s serve this time .

The American entered the final having won 37 of 38 service games in the tournament . But Medvedev broke Johnson twice — once per set — to earn the victory .

Ironically , the Russian had wondered in his first match how he would survive the North Carolina weather .

“ It was so hot . It was so humid, ” he told ESPN .

“ I was like, ‘ How am I going to play six matches if I need to win the tournament ? So I thought okay , this is not my tournament .

“ It ’ s crazy , ” Medvedev said after winning it all .

His first career win had come in the Sydney International in January .

He will face compatriot Evgeny Donskoy in the first round of the U . S . Open .

Johnson was bidding to become the first player this year to win titles on three different surfaces .

He claimed the U. S . Men ’ s Clay Court in Houston in April and won the Hall of Fame event on grass at Newport , Rhode Island in July.

( Reuters / NAN )

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