Qualified for the last 16, Medvedev continues to tame the clay!
Without really playing his best tennis, the world No. 5 secured his place in the last 16 on Saturday. Up against a combative and enterprising Tomas Machac, the Russian struggled to get his game going. Despite his experience, he managed to hold his ground and qualify, albeit with a few scares (7-6, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 in 3h25).
This latest victory, against a player in very good form on ochre, is further proof of Medvedev's progress on the surface. After winning the title in Rome last year, he continues to prove that he is no longer the clay allergy sufferer he once was. It's not just an impression, the statistics show it too. Between 2018 and 2022, the 28-year-old had just 44% of wins on the surface; since 2023, he's up to 78%.
Once again, he didn't shine, but he triumphed. Opposed to an in-form Tomas Machac (finalist in Geneva by eliminating Djokovic and second-round loser to Navone), he didn't fall into the trap. Without dazzling with his talent (53 winners, 50 unforced errors, 14 aces, 5 breaks conceded), Medvedev was able to hold his nerve and take the upper hand when he needed to. Winning after 3 hours 25 minutes (7-6, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4), he clearly didn't dominate (winning just one point more than his opponent), but used all his experience to qualify for the second week.
Interviewed by the press after his victory, he didn't hold back his pleasure. Beaten from the start last year, the 1.98m player could well go very far this year. Still very nervous at times, the Russian preferred to laugh it off, comparing himself to his very young daughter: "All my life, I thought I threw tantrums on the court for various reasons like my childhood ... But, now that I see my one-year-old daughter throwing tantrums exactly like me, I tell myself that maybe it was in my genes (smile)."
In any case, he'll be facing an even tougher opponent in the next round, as Alex De Minaur (11th and winner of Struff's match on Saturday) now stands in his way. This match between two players a little less at ease on ochre, but clearly improving on the surface, is already promising!
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