Daniil Medvedev suspected that it would not be easy in the third round of Roland Garros. Nevertheless, Tomáš Macháč exceeded his expectations with the quality of his performance. The favored Russian often found himself in trouble during the exciting battle, but eventually managed to skate out of them.
The 23-year-old Macháč won one game more than Medvedev during the three-and-a-half-hour match on Suzanne Lenglen’s court. He mastered twenty-one of the forty-one.
But the world number five reigned supreme in the decisive moments and advanced to the round of 16 after sets 7:6, 7:5, 1:6, 6:4.
“It was a very difficult match. I’m glad that, with the exception of the third set, I was concentrated. I set myself up to fight until the end. It was difficult to reach break points despite Tomas’ good serves. I value the victory all the more ,” Medvedev said directly on the court.
According to the 2021 US Open champion, the experience of big matches was decisive, but he showered his Czech opponent with flattery and predicted a great future for him.
“I think he played excellently. Maybe even a little better than I’ve seen him play before, because I thought he made fewer mistakes than is usual for him,” said the 28-year-old tennis player at a press conference.
He then laughed as he described what went through his mind during the grueling duel.
“Every time we played an important ball and he dropped a winner there, I wondered: what’s going on? I’ve been watching your matches and you don’t hit these balls,” Medvedev entertained the staff.
Macháč collected 57 winning balls in the match. Seven more than Medvedev.
“He was very good, if he continues to play like this, he will go even higher in the ranking, that’s clear. I’m happy for that, this dynamic in tennis is very important. I’m curious what Tomas will bring to tennis,” continued the Russian player.
And he was also specific about how far, according to him, the 34th player in the world ranking can climb at the moment.
“I would easily say that he has the level of the top ten. Maybe I would rather say the top twenty, because after all, he loses a little in the most crucial moments,” Medvedev finally added a small criticism, or more precisely, a tip for Macháč on what needs to be improved in the near future improve the future.
Medvedev is a five-time Grand Slam finalist, but at this year’s Roland Garros, he finds himself somewhat out of the limelight.
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are considered the main favorites.
A lot is also expected from former tournament finalists Casper Ruud or Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Clay is not Medvedev’s favorite surface, and his maximum in Paris is the quarter-finals from 2021. The Russian will face Australian Alex de Minaur to equalize this achievement.
