Medvedev Dominates Balazs in US Open Victory; Zverev and Khachanov Also Prevail

Medvedev rides against Balazs

It may be necessary to rethink the rule of protected classification one day. Absent for more than nine months between June 2022 and April 2023 due to a heel injury which had already sidelined him in 2021, Attila Balazs has since attempted a comeback with a very “protect ranking” (101st). far from corresponding to his current tennis level.

The Hungarian, who had scored eight games in his first three tournaments since his resumption – the last dating back to the qualifications of Madrid -, added only two on Monday against a Daniil Medvedev who qualified, so to speak, while smoking a pipe: 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 in 1h14.

Medvedev: ‘I had room so I worked a few shots’

In other words, even if it’s a bit harsh: Balazs was not up to par against a Medvedev who took full advantage of it to have fun and test himself a little, like this serve and volley on the ball of game, perfectly executed.

Zverev didn’t hang around either

For his part, Alexander Zverev had a slightly more complicated first round against the Australian Aleksandar Vukic, who had beaten Borna Coric and Sebastian Korda in Toronto. But the German, recently semi-finalist in Cincinnati, confirmed his rise to power by winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in just over two hours.

Zverev, seeded No. 12, built his success from the baseline as he did not come up to the net once. No need, since he only committed four unforced errors.

Zverev did not hang around: the video summary of his victory against Vukic

Losing comeback for Khachanov

A seed, however, fell on Tuesday, but it was only a half-surprise: Karen Khachanov (n°11), who had not played since his quarter-final at Roland-Garros due to a double stress fracture to the sacrum, then to the pubic bone, had a difficult comeback at the US Open.

Semi-finalist last year (for the first time in a Grand Slam), the Russian was this time beaten in the first round, and in three sets, by the American Michael Mmoh (6-2, 6-4, 6- 2) in 2h20.

2023-08-29 21:03:00
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