Daniil Medvedev can win the French Open
Daniil Medvedev is a real threat for the French Open. The 25-year-old Russian is the second seed at Roland Garros. Medvedev has come of age, previously the Russian struggled at Grand Slam events. Until 2019 the furthest the Russian made was fourth round at the Australian Open.
However, the North American swing in 2019 proved to be the turning point for the Russian. Medvedev reached the final of four events. Washington, Montreal, Cincinnati and New York. The US Open Medvedev was the fifth seed. The Russian defeated Prajnesh Gunneswaran in straight sets in the first round.
Following on the fifth seed defeated Hugo Dellien in four sets, as the Bolivian fought to take the third set. Dominik Koepfer was the next to succumb to the Russian, the German took the first set. Medvedev took the next three to move on to Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-final. The Swiss broke the Russian in the third set, which forced Medvedev to up his game. The fourth set was dominated by the fifth seed losing only one game.
Grigor Dimitrov awaited in the semifinal. The Russian had little trouble dispatching the Bulgarian in straight sets to make his first Grand Slam final. Rafael Nadal awaited. The Spaniard took the first two sets, with the Russian fighting back level taking the next two. Nadal managed to break Medvedev in the final set to claim the win. However, the Russian showed he could compete with the top players.
Grand Slams in 2020
The following year, the Russian progressed to the semi-final against Dominic Thiem. The Austrian outplayed Medvedev and went on to claim his maiden slam title. In 2021 at the Australian Open Medvedev had a tough third round match against Filip Krajinović which went the distance. All the other matches were straight sets wins.
The final saw the Russian against Novak Djokovic. The fourth seed as he was, stayed with the top seed in the first set. The Serbian finally broke the spirit of Medvedev right at the end of the first set. Djokovic went on to claim yet another Australian Open title.
Roland Garros 2021
Daniil Medvedev went into the Paris event as the second seed. Drawing Alexander Bublik in the first round, the 25 year old dispatched Bublik in straight sets. Round two the Russian was against Tommy Paul. The American got the jump on Medvedev and broke serve to lead. The second seed fought back immediately in the second set, losing only one game. The Russian then broke again in the next sets to progress.
Reilly Opelka was next up for Medvedev. The American was no match for the second seed who took out the 32nd seed in straight sets.
The Russian is a force to be reckoned with. Medvedev is playing exceptionally well and is definitely a contender to get to the final and win his maiden Slam. Djokovic and Nadal are in the same side of the draw which puts Medvedev having the best chance of making the final.
Can the Russian win his maiden slam and join Thiem with a Grand Slam title? Can the next generation finally break through the stranglehold of the big three and make their own impact?
Daniil Medvedev cannot be discounted; the Russian is on course to take his first Slam title at Roland Garros.
Main Photo:
