Daniil Medvedev on everyone’s US Open radar after first-round rout
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Daniil Medvedev in action during his US Open first-round match against Hungary's Attila Balazs.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW YORK – Daniil Medvedev had been the forgotten man coming into the US Open, but the third seed popped up on everyone’s radar after steamrollering past Attila Balazs 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 and into the second round on Tuesday.
With world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 2 Novak Djokovic hogging the spotlight, the Russian had gone pretty much unnoticed in the run-up to the season’s final Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.
But with his clinical dissection of Hungary’s Balazs, he served notice that he remains a real threat to claim his second US Open title in three years.
“It’s always good to start well. I’m happy with my performance,” said Medvedev.
“I don’t care if it is normal Carlos and Novak are the biggest names right now. My goal is to play well and get to where they are and try to win, and that is all I can do.
“The most important thing now is try to win my matches step by step. Then see how they go. But of course, Carlos and Novak are the biggest names, biggest favourites but they have to win their matches also to be there.”
Alcaraz is the defending champion while Djokovic, who will return to the world No. 1 spot after the tournament, is seeking a fourth US Open crown and record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
The former got his title defence off to a relatively easy start on Tuesday after the injured Dominik Koepfer retired at 6-2, 3-2 down, while the latter was in second-round action against Bernabe Zapata Miralles on Wednesday – the result of which was unavailable at press time.
“That’s not the best way to get through into another round,” said Alcaraz, who will take on Lloyd Harris next. “But I have to say I was playing great. I started pretty well. Really focused. Honestly, I didn’t expect to play such a great level in the beginning, the first round, here in the US Open.
“I am very happy, even if Domi had to retire. Hopefully to keep that level into the next round.”
Germany’s Alexander Zverev of Germany returns a shot against Aleksandar Vukic of Australia.
PHOTO: AFP
Balazs, who retired from competitive tennis in 2014 and began coaching before resuming his career in 2016, had no ideas on how to deal with Medvedev and the former world No. 1 was in total control right from the start, breaking the Hungarian at the first opportunity in all three sets.
Medvedev, who hit 41 winners, seemed to be able to break his opponent at will while Balazs could not create a single break chance in the entire match.
The one bright moment for Balazs came with Medvedev up 5-0 in the third set and serving for the match when he chased down a ball and fired a cross-court winner that the Russian applauded, while the crowd roared their approval as he broke into a big smile and raised his arms into the air in triumph.
The moment was brief, however, as Medvedev closed out the contest the very next point to move into the next round where he will take on Christopher O’Connell. The Australian could prove a much trickier test, having forced Medvedev to go three tough sets earlier this season in Doha.
“Doha, I was in full confidence, amazing run and he was really close to beating me,” recalled Medvedev, who went on to win the Doha title. “It was a great match from him. It was a very tough one. He served particularly well, served and volleyed a lot.”
After losing to eventual champion Alcaraz in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Medvedev has had a quiet US Open build-up, getting to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open and the round of 16 a week later in Cincinnati.
But he has always produced some of his best work on his favourite hard court in New York, reaching the final in 2019, semi-finals in 2020 and winning it in 2021.
“I’m looking forward to the next round,” Medvedev added.
“Every match is going to be tougher and tougher. Let’s see how the next one goes.” REUTERS, AFP
