Daniil Medvedev is known for frustrating opponents and making them uncomfortable on the court. But on Monday evening at Roland Garros, the Russian was the one left searching for answers.
Hungarian Marton Fucsovics upset the fourth seed 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-1 after three hours and 17 minutes to reach the second round in Paris. The World No. 63 entered the match 0-14 against Top 10 opposition.
Medvedev is still pursuing his first victory at Roland Garros. The 24-year-old has lost his opening match on the terre battue in all four of his appearances.
Fucsovics showed no fear of his favoured opponent, despite losing their two previous ATP Head2Head meetings. The 28-year-old played aggressively in the cold, heavy conditions while avoiding too many unforced errors to give Medvedev confidence on the clay.
The Hungarian won 70 per cent of his net points from 44 approaches, putting pressure on Medvedev. Fucsovics broke serve six times and the fourth seed made 51 unforced errors.
A key moment came at the end of the second set. Although Medvedev struggled to find his best level in the first two sets, he positioned himself well to level the match after going up a mini-break in the tie-break. He could not hold that advantage, later losing two consecutive service points to go down 3/6.
The Russian broke his racquet out of frustration. Since he had already received a warning, Medvedev was given a point penalty, ending the set and putting the fourth seed in a two-set hole.
Medvedev battled hard to force a fourth set and never gave up, but that deficit proved too great to overcome. Fucsovics served and volleyed to hold after a tight game at 3-1 in the final set and then immediately earned a double-break advantage when the seven-time ATP Tour titlist missed a backhand wide. He will next play 2017 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters finalist Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.
Medvedev recently reached the semi-finals of the US Open, but he lost in the first round of the Hamburg European Open against Ugo Humbert.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/36sg1J9
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