Australian Open: Daniil Medvedev doesn't burn anything against Botic van de Zandschulp
Daniil Medvedev is confident in the fourth round of the Australian Open. The Russian didn't give a damn about the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulpand now meets Maxime Cressy or Christopher O'Connell.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 22, 2022, 08:26 am
The fact that the third round of the Australian Open is against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp and not against Ugo Humbert should have reassured Daniil Medvedev to some extent in the run-up to his third appearance at the Australian Open. For two reasons: On the one hand, the second in the world rankings had to surprisingly admit defeat at the start of the season at the ATP Cup Humbert - and on the other hand, the memories of the Dutchman van de Zandschulp are extremely good, as he also had the 26-year-old on the way to his US Open title 2021 out of the way.
Even at the first major event of the year, Daniil Medvedev left little doubt about the outcome of this game early on. In the third game of the game, the Russian increased the number of strokes and, after a remarkable rally, got the first break of the game with a forehand winner. In a very pleasant first round, however, van de Zandschulp found his way into the match better and better and, at a score of 4:5, even had two break chances to get back into the set. Medvedev, however, was able to rely on his serve and made it 1-0 after about 40 minutes.
Medvedev too focused
As in the first set, Medvedev, the big favorite, managed the early break to make it 2-1 in the second round. It was supposed to be a mirror image of the first half - van de Zandschulp played courageously, but without really getting any opportunities worth mentioning to find his way back into the set. The second in the world rankings presented himself too confidently, too clarified and too concentrated throughout the course of the match. The logical consequence: The second set also went to the Russians 6:4.
Nothing should change in this key in this match. The two players never really separated much, but in the decisive moments Medvedev simply acted too hard. In the middle of the third set, the second in the world rankings was to make the decision: With another break to 3:2, the Russian gained the advantage that he couldn't take away.
After almost exactly two hours, Daniil Medvedev finally completed a three-set win that was safe over long stretches and is now waiting for Maxime Cressy or Christopher O'Connell.
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