Rarely has Daniil Medvedev had such an easy start to a Grand Slam tournament. The Russian, world number three, spent just 1 hour 14 minutes and lost just two short games (6-1, 6-1, 6-0) to get rid of Attila Balas, unclassified and protected classification beneficiary, on Tuesday in the first round. US Open.
The 34-year-old Hungarian has played only three matches this season (Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid), of which he has won only 8. And he has not won a single meeting on the main track in the final draw since Roland Garros 2020. This year he reached his best result: 76th place.
Spectacular Medvedev at the gate
Under these conditions, it was impossible for him to resist Medvedev, the author of 41 winning throws (with 13 unforced errors), including 8 aces. The Russian also scored at the gate, scoring 18 points out of 25 in these situations.
The winner of the 2021 tournament will face Australian Max Purcell (43rd), a surprise quarter-finalist in Cincinnati, or Christopher O’Connell (69th) in the second round.