Last year’s ATP Finals champion Danil Medvedev beat Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 7-5 6-1 after 1 hour and 44 minutes on his 25th birthday to extend his unbeaten streak to 16 consecutive matches.
Carballes Baena earned the break point in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Medvedev rallied by winning 20 of the next 22 points and broke three games in a row to close out the first set 6-2.
Medvedev broke serve at love in the fourth game of the second set to open up a 4-1 lead and came within one point of a 5-2 lead. Carballes Baena broke back in the seventh game to draw level to 4-4. Medvedev hit two forehand winners to break serve at love in the 12th game to take the second set 7-5.
Medvedev earned his first break in the fourth game, when Carballes Baena missed a high smash at 1-2 15-30. Medvedev hit a backhand return winner to get the second break and served out the third set at love with a forehand winner and three aces.
The World number 4 started his unbeaten streak with back-to-back titles in Paris Bercy and the ATP Finals in London. He started the 2021 season with the ATP Cup title in Melbourne and beat Vasek Pospisil in the opening round. Medvedev will face a third round match against Filip Krajinovic, who beat Pablo Andujar 6-2 5-7 6-1 6-4.
