Marathon man Medvedev beats Goffin for Cincinnati crown

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) poses for a photo with the Rookwood Cup after defeating David Goffin (BEL) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Russian Daniil Medvedev survived cramps and tantrum where he cracked a racquet to clinch his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win over David Goffin in the final of the Cincinnati Masters.

Medvedev saved two breaks points while serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set before winning the next four, three of them with aces to close out his dogged Belgian opponent.

It was the second title of the year for Medvedev, who had lost on the past two Sundays, to Nick Kyrgios in Washington and Rafa Nadal in Montreal.

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) greets David Goffin (BEL) at the net after their match during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

"It would be not a good feeling if I lost three finals in a row so it's just a relief and I'm so happy," he said in a courtside interview with ESPN after playing his 16th match in 20 days.

"I started feeling cramps at 5-3 (in the second set), first time in three weeks I started cramping, probably because of the nerves and it's been 24 days in a row I played tennis.

"I started cramping quite hard, so last game, 15-40, I know if it's going to be five-all I'm in a bad position.

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; David Goffin (BEL) acknowledges the crowd as he holds the runner up trophy after being defeated by Daniil Medvedev (RUS) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

"I made four serves that he didn't return and three of them were aces. It's just unbelievable."

The pressure perhaps showed in the final game when Medvedev hurled his racquet to the ground after losing a point, but the temper tantrum was short lived and he regrouped quickly to clinch his fifth title in two years.

Earlier, Goffin did well to force a first set tiebreak by holding serve, including winning a 29-rally point.

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) throws his racquet in the game against David Goffin (BEL) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

But the Belgian, without a victory since 2017, lost the tiebreak on a double-fault.

“He played unbelievable the last three weeks,” Goffin said.

“He's super solid. He doesn't miss. It's like playing against a wall. That's why everybody is struggling, because he's so consistent, now with more confidence.”

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) returns a shot against David Goffin (BEL) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Medvedev, who beat world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, plans a short rest before the U.S. Open starts in eight days.

"I need some days off," he said. "I've been playing tennis for so long in a row. I just need to stay in the bed for a few days watching the TV 24 hours a day.

"Hopefully I can regroup and get to the U.S. Open fresh."

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) serves against David Goffin (BEL) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; David Goffin (BEL) returns a shot against Daniil Medvedev (RUS) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; editing by Tony Lawrence/Greg Stutchbury)

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; David Goffin (BEL) returns a shot against Daniil Medvedev (RUS) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 17, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) returns a shot against David Goffin (BEL) during the finals of the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports