Daniil Medvedev has started his quest for a second consecutive US Open title with a straight sets win over Stefan Kozlov in the first round on Monday.
The world No.1 ousted his American opponent 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, in what was a measured performance from the Russian. During the two-hour tussle, Medvedev overcame some patchy play with the help of 40 winners against 20 unforced errors. The latest victory is his 35th on the Tour this year.
“I remember in juniors it was impossible to beat him. I think we played against each other when we were under 14. He’s two years younger than me which is usually a big difference but he destroyed me,” Medvedev said of Kozlov afterwards.
“I am happy to get my revenge today. He has a little bit of a usual game, so I tried to be really solid and try to find the right shot at the right time. Which I managed to do today.”
Coming into the first round encounter Kozlov was by far the underdog. Before the tournament, he had suffered seven consecutive losses and only managed to secure his place in the main draw following the withdrawal of Alexander Zverev. Trading breaks early on, Medvedev soon found his footing in the Arthur Ashe stadium by winning four straight games to close out the first set. Dismantling Kozlov’s technique of deliberately hitting slow serves to disrupt his rhythm.
On what was a hot and humid day in New York, the second frame was a roller-coaster encounter for both players. Out of nowhere, Medvedev started to hit more tentatively on the court and at one stage appeared to prepare to receive at the start of one game when he was meant to be serving. He managed to weather the storm and increased his intensity at 3-3 to break for the lead before Kozlov broke right back. Then the Russian managed to nudge ahead to 5-4 following the conclusion of a rally which ended with the American hitting a diving shot. A move which resulted in Kozlov taking a medical timeout to clear up blood on his hand and knee. Despite the blip, Medvedev managed to close it out with a love service game.
Breaking once again at the start of the third set, Medvedev stormed to the finish line by ending the match with a bagel set where he won 25 out of 33 points played. He sealed the victory with a winning serve and volley on his second match point.
“It was not easy conditions. It was pretty hot and humid here (in New York) with most of us sweating a lot,” Medvedev commented on his latest performance.
“I feel like there were some good points and I managed to be pretty solid. My first serve was key today and I’m happy to go through to the second round.”
Medvedev has two tough tasks ahead of him at Flushing Meadows. Besides bidding to become the first man to defend their title since Roger Federer in 2008, he needs to reach at least the final in order to maintain his No.1 status for when the tournament ends.
The defending champion will play France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the second round who beat compatriot Quentin Halys 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2. It will be the first Tour meeting between the two players.
“All the French players know how to play good tennis so I need to be at my best on Wednesday,” he said.
Medvedev’s career win-loss at the US Open currently stands at 21-4.
