Medvedev continues French Open resurgence into third round

Daniil Medvedev has been saying throughout this tournament that he likes these French Open conditions and almost feels as if he is playing on hard courts.

He may not be kidding.

Having previously never won a match at Roland-Garros (0-4 lifetime match record), Medvedev picked up his third victory of the fortnight when he defeated Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Friday afternoon. The world No 2 punched his ticket to the second week — obviously for the first time ever — after just one hour and 38 minutes of play.

Medvedev out-aced Opelka 10 to five and committed only 16 unforced errors in the entire match. The 6’10” American managed to break his opponent once, but it hardly mattered because Medvedev was all over Opelka’s serve from start to finish. Following overnight rain, conditions were slower than they had been in the previous rounds and that all but killed the underdog’s chances. Medvedev generated 16 break-point opportunities and converted for five breaks.

“I’M ENJOYING MYSELF. I DON’T HIDE IT.”

“Clay in Roland Garros feels great this year — especially Wilson balls,” the second seed explained. “Said it from the beginning. I think it’s going to stay till the end of the tournament. As I said after the first round, now I know to beat me guys have to play good…. This was not a question. It’s better to feel like this (than) when you know you can lose to yourself just playing bad.

“This year I’m enjoying myself in Roland Garros. I don’t hide it. I’m really enjoying.”

The Russian will battle Cristian Garin on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals. Garin ended the run of American Marcos Giron with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory.