Not with out problem, the Russian Daniil Medvedev received on Saturday in opposition to the Czech Tomas Machac within the third spherical of Roland-Garros (7-6 [4], 7-5, 1-6, 6-4). Largely shaken up, the world quantity 5 is doing very effectively, because the Czech, who defeated Novak Djokovic in Geneva (Switzerland) final Friday, put the Russian in problem on the Suzanne-Lenglen court docket, solely surrendering to the after 3h23 of a hell of a standoff.
Medvedev, who had already dropped a set on the way in which in opposition to Dominik Koepfer within the first spherical, earlier than then making the most of the abandonment of Miomir Kecmanovic, first had the great thought of successful a really balanced and nice first set, on the finish of the tie-break to take the lead after 1h15 of the match. Virtually an identical state of affairs within the second spherical, the place the Russian was capable of seize Machac’s poor shot on the worst second, at 5-5, to make the break and end in stride.
A totally missed third set
The toughest half then appeared to be achieved, particularly as Medvedev began the third spherical with a clean entry break. However by no means. Utterly lacking his level, Medvedev started to foil, partly in charge for a very absent service (37% first ball and three double faults).
On the opposite aspect of the online, Machac was in full swing, in a match the place he notably provided the general public an impressive left-handed passing shot, he being the right-hander. In 29 minutes and three redacted faceoffs, Medvedev left Machac alive, embroiled in a very completely different encounter.
Damaged initially of the fourth set, Medvedev had the advantage of not letting Machac catch hearth for too lengthy, breaking instantly. The turning level of the match absolutely befell shortly after, within the seventh sport, when Machac didn’t convert his three break factors.
The chance then handed and Medvedev didn’t tremble when closing the match on his first match level, which nonetheless appeared to start out with an epilogue in 5 units. Not sad to get out of it in “solely” 3h23 of play, Medvedev will face Alex De Minaur within the spherical of 16, winner of the German Jan-Lennard Struff (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 ).