French Open 2021: Daniil Medvedev wins for the first time at Stade Roland Garros, defeats Alexander Bublik in straight sets
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Daniil Medvedev
It was fifth time lucky for World No.2 Daniil Medvedev as he got the better of Kazakh Alexander Bublik in the first round of the 2021 French Open to win his first main draw match at Roland Garros. The Russian won in straight sets 6-3,6-3,7-5 at Court Philippe Chatrier.
Despite not winning any match at the Roland Garros, Medvedev didn’t show any kind of nervousness early on. He turned onto the basics and served slow to build up the rally early on. He then broke Bublik’s serve, courtesy a lot of unforced errors from the Kazakh. He followed it up with another break of serve to close out the set 6-3.
Both the players showed a lot of intensity in the start of the second set, going for winners to finish the point. Bublik adapted the serve-volley strategy but wasn’t able to execute it to perfection because of the No.2 seed’s exceptional pass shots. Medvedev was returning Bublik’s serve very well and got the much needed break mid way the second set. He held serve and won the set 6-3.
Daniil Medvedev keeps calm amidst drama
The third set saw a different energy from Bublik. He was indulging in longer rallies and making things difficult for Medvedev. He held serve in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. But Bublik wasn’t done. He mixed his normal serve with underarm serves to make life difficult for the No.2 seed. He then broke Medvedev in the next game and served for the set. But he chose a ‘YOLO’ approach on serve, going for the big serve on the second serve as well. It unfortunately didn’t go his way, as he struck two double faults to hand the break back to Medvedev.
The Russian then held serve to draw level at 5-5. Bublik’s YOLO approach didn’t work in the eleventh game as well, as Medvedev broke Bublik again. He then served out a perfect game to to win the set 7-5. He will now face either of Tommy Paul or Christopher O’Connell in the second round.
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Lakshya Chopra
(2595 Articles Published)