Persistent prognostication isn't part of Daniil Medvedev's game plan.
But the US Open champion made a bold prediction after Grigor Dimitrov showed him the door in Indian Wells.
If the 23rd-seeded Bulgarian can sustain this lofty level of play he can take the title on Sunday, says Medvedev.
More: Dimitrov Shocks Top-seeded Medvedev
Staring down a one set, 1-4 deficit to the top seed, a determined Dimitrov stormed through 11 of the final 14 games in a stirring 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 conquest to reach his first BNP Paribas Open quarterfinal.
In a clash of the current and former ATP Finals champions, Dimitrov not only snapped Medvedev's 10-match winning streak, he showed the world No. 2 a brand of tennis better than anyone he faced winning his maiden major in Flushing Meadows.
"He definitely flipped the switch. Talking about myself, I did become a little more tired maybe, and at the same time, it's not that I started missing everything and like really playing bad," Medvedev said. "I still maintained some level, if we can call it like this, so many matches it would be enough to finish the match. Yeah, that's a good thing.
"About Grigor, I have not much to say. He played second part of the match better than anybody did against me in US Open that I won. So again, playing this level, I don't see him losing to anybody, but let's see the result."
The physical and emotional toll of winning his maiden major left Medvedev looking a little lethargic in the final stages of today's defeat. Medvedev conceded he was exhausted and said he's undecided on whether he will play his hometown tournament in Moscow.
"I need to see next two days what I do, because I'm signed in Moscow, which is next week," Medvedev said. "I did sign, because I haven't played there since 2018. It's my hometown, so I wanted to give myself at least a chance to sign, and this time I'm in the draw.
The deadline is Friday. To be honest, I did feel exhausted this tournament, which of course I will never say before matches, so now I can say it. I did feel tired, and there were a few things coming up during the tournament in terms of my physical. So I'm going to see next few days after this tough match if I'm going to be able to compete in Moscow, which I really want to do, but, yeah, I need to take care of my body.
"But anyway, I'm going to go there, just, yeah, I need to see a little bit before the deadline if I'm going to retire or not."
Photo credit: Getty