Daniil Medvedev stated that he'll have to perform at a "20 out of 10" to defeat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's Indian Wells final in the California desert.
Medvedev defeated Tommy Paul 1-6 7-6(3) 6-2 in the semi-final on Saturday to arrange a showdown against two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz - a rematch of last year's final.
Alcaraz has emerged victorious in three of his last four encounters with Medvedev and holds a 3-2 head-to-head record against the Russian.
Medvedev mentioned that he would approach the match with the same mentality he adopted in this year's Australian Open final, where he was defeated by Jannik Sinner.
"I knew last three times Sinner beat me, and I knew if I want to win I have to go there, give my all, 11 out of 10, 20 out of 10, whatever," Medvedev told reporters.
"That's the way I entered the match with Carlos in the U.S. Open, also. I still feel this way, especially on this court."
Medvedev said he was trying not to centre his season around the four Grand Slams, adding that he hoped this approach would work at Indian Wells - the only hardcourt Masters 1000 title he has not yet won.
"I want to try to win more than just Grand Slams. I want to try to play good in other tournaments," the former world number one said.
"I'm happy that here I managed to do it and it's not a Grand Slam but I managed to stay focused, fight till the end, and yeah, try to win it.
"I'm just trying my best all the time. Sometimes my best is very good. Sometimes it's not. Let's hope tomorrow it's going to be very good."
