D. MEDVEDEV/T. Seyboth Wild
7-5, 7-5
Q. You lost to him last year at Roland Garros, now straight sets revenge, how do you feel after your first match in Shanghai?
DANIIL MEDVEDEV: It's a tough match. He plays well, very well against me. I felt like I actually played a good match, just a couple of few loose errors, but it's okay, it happens, and if not I stayed tough, that's why I managed to win. Two times broke at 5-All, and the side helped a little bit with the wind. So, generally happy with my level and looking forward, and, yeah, he's a tough opponent to play against.
Q. How good does it feel to return to a venue where you've had so much success in the past?
DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Oh, I love it here. I love the city since the first time I've been here for the challenger. I love the venue. I think it's the best tournament by far, outside of the slams. It's great, I feel like, for players and for fans, so it's mutual fun. I feel like all the stadiums are full, even for practice, which is crazy, so, yeah, great energy, happy to win here, and will try my best to stay as long as possible.
Q. How do you sum up your season overall, and sort of what goals are left for you this year?
DANIIL MEDVEDEV: A bit up and down, but in general I would say not bad, not perfect, I mean, zero titles, so definitely not perfect. I had some good wins, had some good runs. It's tough play against Jannik and Carlos, but I managed to beat Jannik in quarterfinal at Wimbledon, playing great. Against Carlos, actually the three matches I played this year I felt like I was playing maybe even better than before, but still lost. But, yeah, I feel like I have room to improve, but at the same time it's not too bad. I'm a force in the Race, and happy to try to finish on a good note. Goals left are try to win a title.
Q. Are there measures that are beyond titles, like tiny measures of success for you?
DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I think in tennis, yes, still. I mean, probably make, what, 10 finals? If you make like four finals or four Grand Slams, maybe you can even be a world No. 1, without winning title. But, yeah, title is the best feeling. Whatever tournament you play, 250, challenger, Masters, Grand Slam, title is the best feeling.
Again, I had some good tournaments also, and that's why I don't say that my tournament or my year is bad, but title is always feel good, and I still have some chances.
Q. Do you think you have the opportunity to win the title this time?
DANIIL MEDVEDEV: To win the title? Oh, yeah, of course, I mean, whatever tournament I play I can go in the final, I mean, I proved it many times. It's not easy, but I'm going to try my best to try, yeah, to play better and better here every match, serve better and better and try to win it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports