Daniil Medvedev feeling the heat as world number one

The Russian star is set to feature on the hard courts of the Abierto de Tenis Mifel in Los Cabos, Mexico, alongside challengers Cam Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime. It will be his first outing since the Mallarco Championships on clay in June, where he bowed out in the quarterfinals.

Since, Medvedev has managed to hold on to his ranking despite him being unable to play at Wimbledon after tournament organisers banned Russian players altogether.

Alexander Zverev - who faces an extended time on the sideline following his injury at the French Open - is second while the mercurial Rafael Nadal - ranked third - is sure to make a bid for a 23rd grand slam at the US Open later this year.

"For sure I'm watching a little bit," Medvedev told ATPTour.com when asked about the battle for the top spot.

"Depends also the moment because I know at the end of the year, unless I try to win every tournament that is left, it's probably going to be Rafa for [year-end No. 1]. But at the same time, I can keep it for quite a long time I feel like if I play good here in the [North American hard-court swing].

"I know that the most important is to try to win tournaments, try to win those points. Then you can keep [World No. 1]."