Daniil Medvedev makes winning return after Australian Open final loss
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Russia's Daniil Medvedev in action against Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DUBAI – Daniil Medvedev was pleased that his injury troubles are over, as he returned to action on Feb 27 for the first time since his Australian Open final defeat with a straight-set win over Alexander Shevchenko in Dubai.
The Russian got his title defence at the hard court ATP 500 event up and running, overcoming his opponent 6-3, 7-5.
Medvedev, the world No. 4 top seed, shrugged off his month-long absence – part holiday, part injury – by breaking Kazakhstan’s Shevchenko three consecutive times in the first set.
He then reeled off four games in a row from 3-5 in the second to complete an 88-minute triumph.
In January, Medvedev reached his second Australian Open final. He lost to Rafael Nadal in the Melbourne decider two years ago, and this time had to settle for second best in the season’s opening Grand Slam to Jannik Sinner.
He was forced to skip his title defence in Doha last week because he was dealing with a number of physical issues – with his foot, adductor and shoulder.
“In general, to be honest, I am happy with my level because it is not easy to come back after an injury,” he said.
“You always try to straight away put your game back, but it’s not easy and I’m happy to beat such a good opponent and I’m looking forward to the next round.”
On his break, he added: “I did take a week and a half off by myself and then, when I came back, I started feeling pain here and there, not practising 100 per cent.
“It’s very tricky because when you come into a match, you have to forget about it (injuries) and when you think about something other than tennis, you are going to lose the match.”
Medvedev was up against Lorenzo Sonego on Feb 28 after the Italian despatched wildcard Sumit Nagal of India 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. The result of the round-of-16 match was unavailable at press time.
In another last-16 match, Andy Murray lost 6-2, 6-4 to fifth seed Ugo Humbert of France.
When broken in the third game of the second set, the 36-year-old Scot, who has hinted that he could retire after this season, was heard yelling: “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.
“Oh god. Awful feelings. Horrific.”
Humbert advanced to face either third seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland or Australia’s Christopher O’Connell.
Elsewhere, top seed Alexander Zverev tumbled out of the Mexican Open at the first hurdle on Feb 27, eliminated by German compatriot Daniel Altmaier in three sets.
Zverev, winner of the Acapulco tournament in 2021, was sent packing 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 28 minutes by world No. 57 Altmaier, who set up a second-round meeting with Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.
Australia’s Jordan Thompson was brought back down to earth after losing his first-round match just two days after winning his first ATP title.
Thompson, who went on a giant-killing run before defeating Casper Ruud to win the Los Cabos Open final on Feb 25, was ousted by American qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic, losing 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in 2hr 42min.
Kovacevic will play Holger Rune in the second round after the Danish second seed cruised past American Michael Mmoh 6-2, 6-3. AFP, REUTERS
