Medvedev makes solid start in Dubai
Dubai, UAE - After a month away, Daniil Medvedev returned to action in typically resolute style Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The World No. 4 overcame Alexander Shevchenko 6-3, 7-5 to kick-start his title defence at the hard-court ATP 500 in the United Arab Emirates. Medvedev broke in three consecutive return games en route to the first set before reeling off four games in a row from 3-5 in the second set to complete an 88-minute triumph.
“When you take a week or two off, but it’s something you planned, then it’s kind of easy tennis-wise, just a couple of points or games to get back,”
said Medvedev, who had to recover from a foot injury in the weeks following his Australian Open final defeat to Jannik Sinner. “I did take a week and a half off by myself and then when I came back I started feeling pain here and there, not practising 100 per cent.
“It’s very tricky, because when you come into a match you have to forget about it and when you think about something other than tennis you are going to lose the match. I managed to do it, I didn’t feel any pain and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
The Kazakhstani showed signs of the ability that has lifted him into the top 50 in the rankings, but was ultimately unable to wear Medvedev down.
“He played well, especially the second set, and that’s why the score was tougher in the second set,” reflected Medvedev. “I managed to play a very good game when he served for the set and managed to [win] the next one on my serve which was tricky.”