Daniil Medvedev has no concerns about US Open Covid-19 precautions

Russia's Daniil Medvedev had no doubts about playing this year's US Open in New York despite the novel coronavirus pandemic causing several high-profile players to withdraw from both sides of the draw.

The world No 5 is the third seed in the men's draw, behind Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem, for the Grand Slam tournament that starts on Monday.

"I don't think I ever really doubted playing here," Medvedev, 24, told reporters at Flushing Meadows on Saturday. "I was almost sure I will come here.

Serena Williams left frustrated in US Open warm-up while Novak Djokovic eases through

"Safety was a priority for everybody [but] as soon as everybody really got the information of how it's going to be here I think everybody decided to go."

Medvedev added that he felt safe with the bio-security measures put in place by tournament organisers, which includes playing without crowds.

"I think to get infected here is really tough," he said. "I think it's a good bubble."

While the men's draw has lost Nadal, who beat Medvedev in five sets in last year's final, 20-time grand slam winner Roger Federer and 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka, the Russian is not prepared to get too far ahead of himself repeating this year.

"When I come into the slam, my goal is to win seven matches," he said ahead of his first-round clash with Argentina's Federico Delbonis on Tuesday.

"But I take it match by match."

Prior to this week's Western and Southern Open, which was played in New York, Medvedev had not played since February due to the Covid-19 shutdown.

He made the quarter-finals of the event, which is normally played in Cincinnati, and felt he was as prepared as he could be for the Grand Slam.

"There was a huge layoff," he said. "The three matches I played, I actually liked my level.

"Hopefully I can just show some great tennis [and] I will have my chances to go deep in the tournament."

The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

Nationality: New Zealand

Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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Racecard

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m

8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m

9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud

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Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule

Thursday December 27

Men's quarter-finals

Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm

Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm

Women's exhibition

Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm

Friday December 28

5th place play-off 3pm

Men's semi-finals

Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm

Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm

Saturday December 29

3rd place play-off 5pm

Men's final 7pm

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates