WATCH: Daniil Medvedev finally breaks his Rome Masters duck
At his fourth attempt, Daniil Medvedev has finally registered a victory at the Foro Italico with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Emil Ruusuvuori.
Medvedev has applied himself to improve on clay with mixed results but undoubted progress.
His 77th Masters match win was the first achieved in Rome since his 2018 debut.
Medvedev skipped the tournament in 2020 and 2022 and it had been the only Masters tournament that he hadn’t earned multiple match wins at.
He was relieved to finally get a win in Rome, a venue renowned for its tricky conditions.
“It is a little bit [of a relief],” said Medvedev after his win.
“We can talk about all of the matches I lost here, they were different. The first one, I feel like I should have won, but it is [what it is]. Whenever I come to a tournament, I know that I can play well, so I’m happy to finally get the win here in Rome.”
Medvedev played something close to his regular game, driven by his baseline hitting to win a potentially difficult opening encounter against another lanky player.
He successfully deflected Ruusuvuori’s powerful groundstrokes, and Medvedev broke the Finn’s serve five times on his way to an 88-minute victory.
The third-seeded Medvedev moved to 10-0 in first-round matches for 2023 with his Tour-leading 32nd match victory of the year.
The five-time Masters 1000 winner will try to keep his momentum going against Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the third round after experiencing victory on the Rome clay for the first time in four main-draw outings.
“I want to win as many matches as possible,” said Medvedev.
“I know it can be a little bit trickier for me on clay, but honestly this year I am playing really well.
“The matches I lost, I lost against great opponents who [just] played better than me and not much [else] to say. I’m doing my absolute best and playing well. I already beat a lot of good opponents. Last week [in Madrid] Emil was one of only two players who won a set against Carlos [Alcaraz], so I’m feeling great and just looking forward to trying to play my best tennis until the end of the clay season.”
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on home hope Lorenzo Sonego after returning to the court on Sunday to finish off Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-3 in a match interrupted by Saturday’s rain when the world number five was already well on his way to victory.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Daniil Medvedev discusses his popularity compared to Carlos Alcaraz as he offers a theory
“For me, the result is the most important, it’s more important than, let’s say, looking good on the court.”
-
Tennis News
Andy Roddick gives honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s shock coaching split
“I was surprised. You don’t look to make moves in March or April. This has had to be a surprise to both of them.”
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”