“If he continues like this, he will be top 30 by the end of the year” – Medvedev speaks highly of Seyboth Wild’s talent

The Italian Open Masters champion is out of Roland-Garros.

Daniil Medvedev, one of the pre-tournament favourites, lost in the first round on a shell-shocked Court Philippe-Chatrier, losing 7-6 (5), 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in four hours and 15 minutes against little-known qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild, ranked172nd in the world.

“He was good,” said Medvedev at his post-match press conference. “I don’t think I played that badly. If he continues like this, in my opinion, he will be in the top 30 at the end of the year. Even though the last time I said something like that about a player, it didn’t happen. But I really hope he will keep this level, otherwise I will be disappointed. Why against me, today (Tuesday), and not against others (smile)?”

Bitter disappointment for Medvedev after high hopes at Roland-Garros

The Russian has only recently found his form on the red dirt of Europe, having openly proclaimed his dislike for clay in previous seasons.

2023 was different, however. After a simply stellar hard court stretch in which the Russian won four titles, Medvedev turned his attention to clay with a fresh approach.

It seemed to be paying dividends early on, as he recorded an impressive run through to the quarter-finals of Monte-Carlo before falling to Holger Rune.

But even Medvedev would have been surprised if he’d been told be end the road to Paris as the Italian Open champion.

Yet, he did exactly that. Which is why this first round exit, while it may not have been surprising six months ago, will come as an even more difficult pill to swallow.

On the day, however, Medvedev did not play badly. He was simply outclassed by a talented and mercurial opponent who was playing out of his skin. With three more matches under his belt in Paris – having come through qualifying – Seyboth Wild was always going to be dangerous.

As Medvedev himself put it, “If he maintains this level, he will have a much better life: more money, sponsors, and big titles. But for that, he must show this face all year round, not just once, on the Chatrier.”

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