Medvedev credits faster Madrid courts for hard-fought opening round victory

World No.3 Daniil Medvedev kicked off his Madrid Open campaign with a grueling victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, battling past the Spaniard to reach the Round of 16.

The second seed pulled off the 4-6 6-4 6-2 victory after two hours and 13 minutes, rallying from a set down to escape with the win. This victory also broke the Russian's six-match losing streak on clay, with perhaps the unique conditions in Madrid ultimately playing to his favor.

“I am happy with the win,” said Medvedev in his post-match interview. “The first set wasn’t easy and I thought it was going to be where I had another 25 break points and I wouldn’t win. I finally played quite well and did well in the third set. I think Madrid is a little faster than other clay tournaments, so better for my game.”

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The 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion improves to an 18-3 record in 2021, and has a chance to capture the ATP No.1 ranking before Roland Garros. He would have to capture the title in Madrid, reach at least the semifinals in Rome and have current World No.1 Novak Djokovic not win either tournament.

Awaiting Medvedev in the next round is 16th seed Cristian Garin, who prevailed 6-3 6-4 over Germany's Dominik Koepfer.