By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Saturday, June 1, 2024
Daniil Medvedev is known for coming up with incredible shots out of nowhere.
But his equally talented opponent Tomas Machac is also earning that reputation, especially after his performance today in Roland Garros.
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The No. 5 seed Medvedev needed all his skills and experience to see himself past the 23-year-old Czech Machac to reach the fourth round in Paris. Medvedev advanced into the second week with a 7-6(4), 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 victory.
Machac, who upset World No. 1 Novak Djokovic a few weeks ago in Geneva, is quickly becoming known as something of shotmaker. Early in the first set at 2-all, Machac, a right hander, hit two left-handed forehands to get himself out of trouble.
While Medvedev claimed the first two sets, they were close contests. Machac then raced through the third set 6-1 and look ready to possibly pull off another big upset. Machac exhorted the crowd to get on his side, and was especially helped by his overly exuberant team who waved towels in celebration after every winning point.
The 28-year-old Medvedev, who struggled with his first set in the match, found it when he needed it most in the fourth set. At 4-all in the fourth set, the Russian banged down his 14th ace of the match to pull ahead 5-4.
From there, Medvedev claimed the final game to avoid going the distance with his Czech opponent.
Medvedev will next face No. 11 seed Alex de Minaur.
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