Medvedev Outlasts Tiafoe at Aussie Open

January 21, 2020 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Medvedev
Photo Credit: Brian Coleman/LI Tennis Magazine

 

US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev pushed his way into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, beating American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

“It felt different because that’s the first time in my life I was stepping out on the centre court in the first round of a Grand Slam as a favorite,” said Medvedev. “I am happy with the win because that’s most important. First round of a Grand Slam is never easy. Sometimes the most important thing is to really not show some crazy level or crazy shots, but just to win the match, get into the tournament.

It was a tough match against Frances, but happy to win it in four sets without playing five hours.”

Medvedev now moves into a matchup with Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez, who defeated Germany’s Dominick Koepfer 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal had no issues in his opener on Tuesday as he beat Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien 6-2, 6-3, 6-0. Nadal hit 38 winners to just 21 unforced errors to advance in just over two hours, and will now face Federico Delbonis for a spot in the third round,

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios got past Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 7-6(3), 7-6(1), while Kevin Anderson needed five sets to defeat Belarusian qualifier Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(8) in a match that finished after 1:30 a.m. local time in Melbourne.

RELATED: Kyrgios, Anderson Headline New York Open Field

Fifth-seed Dominic Thiem, seventh-seed Alex Zverev, 10th seed Gael Monfils, 15th seed Stan Wawrinka and 19th seed John Isner were other notable winners Down Under on Tuesday.

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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