NEW YORK/STARNBERG, September 2, 2021
Daniil Medvedev reached the third round of the US Open with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over Germany’s Dominik Koepfer on Wednesday.
The No. 2 seed from Russia capitalized on seven of his 17 break-point chances to secure victory in one hour and 48 minutes.
When you pretend to walk away from the point 🤷♂️@DaniilMedwed | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/yiii1jqxXQ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2021
“It was a great level from me,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “There were a few tight moments in the match which I managed to hold well and play well. At one moment his level dropped a little bit and I took advantage of it. I am really happy to be through in less than two hours.”
Medvedev, a 12-time champion on the ATP Tour, who reached the stage of the final four at Flushing Meadows last year, will next face Pablo Andujar. The Spaniard eliminated Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 in two hours and five minutes.
Later on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-0 in two hours and 41 minutes.
Into Round 3 ➡️ @steftsitsipas 👏 pic.twitter.com/mVs1XjCm38
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2021
“I had a great start in the first and second set, taking the lead early. Did everything tactically kind of correct. Had gained that momentum from the beginning of both sets. It felt like I was just comfortable, performing at my best,” Tsitsipas said. “In the third I had difficulties to find that game, that momentum, as I did in the first and second. I think he also kind of loosened up a little bit.
“The tie-break was a close, very close battle, in which he prevailed I think [because he had] less unforced errors than me.”
Up next for Tsitsipas will be Spanish #NextGenATP star Carlos Alcaraz, who edged past Arthur Rinderknech from France 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in almost three hours of play.
Elsewhere, Norway’s Casper Ruud became the highest seed to fall in the men’s tournament, the World No. 11 lost to Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 116 places lower than him, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4.
Osaka receives walkover
In the women’s draw, defending champion and No. 3 seed Naomi Osaka of Japan received a walkover from Olga Danilovic of Serbia, who was forced to withdraw from the match due to illness.
Sloane Stephens emerged victorious from the all-US-American affair with Coco Gauff, winning 6-4, 6-2 and reigning Roland-Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic defeated Christina McHale from the United States 6-3, 6-1.
