Defending Champion Daniil Medvedev Starts Strong in Dubai ATP 500 Event

The defending champion got off to a good start in the United Arab Emirates. For his big return to competition almost a month after his defeat in the final of the Australian Open, Daniil Medvedev did the job well against his compatriot Alexander Shevchenko, 47th in the world and making full progress at the moment. The Russian, seeded 1 at this ATP 500 in Dubai, won in two sets (6-2, 7-5) and a little less than an hour and a half (1h28 precisely) of play in the first round. He will face Lorenzo Sonego or Sumit Nagal in his next match.

Gilles Simon had a smile in the stands. The Frenchman accompanied Daniil Medvedev for the first time in competition this Tuesday, replacing Gilles Cervara in his role for the occasion, and he witnessed a victory to begin with. But if the Russian generally mastered his subject, everything was not perfect for his new coach who experienced for the first time the mood swings of his new protégé. This was the case during the second set, especially when Medvedev fell behind by a break against his compatriot.

But the annoyances did not last long for the world number 4 who broke when his rival was serving to equalize at one set all. He even finished the game with a bang, winning the last four games. Medvedev will nevertheless seek to correct the few slags seen this Tuesday in his game, particularly on the serve (5 double faults), if he wants to keep his good at the end of the week.

2024-02-27 17:38:00
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