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Top 5 Photos 11/23: Medvedev finishes 2020 off in style

By Jordaan Sanford

The season ended in epic fashion with Daniil Medvedev coming out victorious at the season-ending event in London. It was a week full of excitement that wrapped up a twelve-year ATP Finals run in London with a bang.

These are the Top 5 Photos from Sunday's final. (All photos from Getty Images)

1

Exciting times ahead

Thiem is no stranger to reaching the final round of key events, despite having to face Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. However, the Austrian had never won a major title until this year's US Open and he believes exciting days are ahead for the sport.

“The next few years, the Big Three still will play for every big title, but I guess there’s still going to be a time when those guys will retire—I don’t know, in three, four, five years,” Thiem said following his final match in London. "And then, I guess, we will be the favorites for all the big titles. For tennis, some exciting times are coming ahead.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Dominic Thiem of Austria plays a backhand during his singles final match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia during day eight of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

2

A new generation

To reach the championship match, Thiem knocked out 17-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 Djokovic, while Medvedev edged past another Big Three member Nadal.

“An amazing accomplishment for a new generation," Medvedev said in his post-match presser. “It’s super for tennis. We are starting to ... (make) our marks.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Daniil Medvedev of Russia embraces Dominic Thiem of Austria at the net after winning the singles final during day eight of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

3

Medvedev is the man in London

The Russian erased a set deficit against Thiem to post a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 score, picking up his biggest title to date. Medvedev also knocked out the Top 3-ranked players in the same tournament, the first player in thirteen years to achieve that feat.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Daniil Medvedev of Russia plays a forehand during his singles final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day eight of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

4

Bookend champions for Russia

The last time a Russian singles player claimed the prestigious year-end event title was back in 2009, when former world No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the first edition hosted at The O2 Arena. Medvedev was jokingly called Davydenko earlier this year by Andrey Rublev during an edition of Tennis United.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Daniil Medvedev of Russia poses with the trophy and ball kids after winning his singles final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day eight of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

5

Ten in a row

The 24-year-old ends his season on the highest of notes. Not only did he finish a career-best No. 4, but Medvedev also ended the year on a ten-match winning streak. The 2019 US Open finalist triumphed at the Paris Masters prior to his stunning run in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Daniil Medvedev of Russia lifts the trophy after winning his singles final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day eight of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images