Russia's Daniil Medvedev plays a return to Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik during their first round match on day two of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Monday, May 31
At his fifth attempt, Daniil Medvedev has finally won a match at Roland Garros.
The second-seeded Russian, who lost in the first round on each of his four previous appearances on the Parisian red clay, claimed a maiden win at the Grand Slam event by defeating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.
Medvedev has often struggled on the slow surface — he has a 12-20 record on clay — and much prefers hard courts. He holds a 148-59 record on hard and has won all his 10 titles on the fast surface.
During his on-court interview, Medvedev told the crowd he feels the balls used in Paris suit his game really well.
“Since I arrived here I’m feeling really well, I can almost play as if on hard courts,” he said. “Hopefully I can achieve something big.”
A two-time Grand slam runner-up, Medvedev is bidding to become the third Russian man to win a major after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin.
Earlier, Italian rising star Jannik Sinner saved a match point in his opening match at the French Open before rallying past Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-1, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4.
