Daniil Medvedev gets monkey off his back with first French Open win, beats Alexander Bublik

ByReuters

Updated 31/05/2021 at 15:08 GMT

Medvedev has finally won a match at Roland Garros! The hard-court specialist has fallen at the first hurdle every year from 2017-2020, but found his groove on Court Philippe Chatrier to progress in straight sets. Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app

Highlights: Medvedev blasts past Bublik to progress in Paris

Second seed Daniil Medvedev beat Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-3 7-5 in an entertaining clash at the French Open to finally win his first-ever match at Roland Garros on his fifth attempt.

Clay is Medvedev's least favourite surface, and despite arriving in Paris having lost in the first round during all four of his previous main draw appearances, the lanky Russian mastered his initial nerves and turned in a dominant display.

Bublik, the world number 37, made the brighter start, breaking Medvedev in his first service game to take a 2-0 lead, but the Russian broke back twice in a row before claiming the opening set.

ATP Rome

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

03/05/2024 at 10:50

Medvedev raced into a 4-0 lead in the second before Bublik pulled a break back. The Kazakh ramped up the pressure on Medvedev's serve further but the Russian saved a break point to extend his lead to 5-2 before serving out the second set.

The third set stayed on serve until Bublik broke to earn a 5-3 lead and a chance to serve for the set. But Bublik crumbled, double faulting twice in succession to hand Medvedev the break back and let him off the hook.

Medvedev capitalised on his opponent's next service game, breaking Bublik again before serving out the match in style with a hold to love, acknowledging the sparse crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier with a wave of celebration.

- - -

Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th title at his favourite event and 2020 Roland Garros sensation Iga Swiatek aiming to replicate her stunning triumph.

ATP Madrid

Highlights: Medvedev hits Masters milestone as he beats Bublik to reach quarters

00:01:34

30/04/2024 at 13:42

Tennis

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

24/04/2024 at 08:40

ATP Monte Carlo

'Open your freaking eyes' - Medvedev rages again in Monte Carlo defeat

11/04/2024 at 14:25

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me