Andriy Medvedev lifts his 4th Masters 1000 title at 1997 Hamburg
11-time titlist Andriy Medvedev won his only title of the 1997 season, and what turned out to be the last singles title of his career, at the Hamburg Masters.
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The then 22-year-old beat Spaniard Felix Mantilla for the loss of just six games to win his third title at the tournament and the 4th Masters 1000 title of his career. He had previously triumphed at 1994 Monte Carlo, 1994 Hamburg and 1996 Hamburg.
In Grand Slam tournaments, Medvedev came within one set of his Major breakthrough at 1999 Roland Garros, conceding only three games in the first two sets against American Andre Agassi. But in a remarkable turnaround, Agassi took the next three sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to become the first player in three decades to win the 'Career Grand Slam'.
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#1 Marcelo Rios - 5 Masters 1000 titles
Marcelo Rios hoists aloft his 5th Masters 1000 trophy at 1999 Hamburg
After making his Masters 1000 breakthrough at Monte Carlo 1997, Marcelo Rios won the Indian Wells - Miami 'Sunshine Double' in 1998.
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The Chilean then followed up with the Rome Masters title later in the season. He lifted his fifth and last Masters 1000 title on the claycourts of Hamburg in 1999, with a five-set win over Mariano Zabaleta.
In his only appearance in a Grand Slam final, Rios went down to Petr Korda at the 1998 Australian Open. Rios also holds the rather ignominious record of being the only Slam-less World No. 1 in men's tennis history.
Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.
Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.
Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.