Daniil Medvedev exorcised the ghosts of a previous early exit at Roland-Garros by securing a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 victory over Dominik Koepfer, advancing to the second round. The world No. 5, eager to redeem himself from last year’s disappointment, now prepares to face Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic as he aims for a deeper run in the tournament.
In a match filled with intense rallies and shifting momentum, Medvedev showcased his skill from the start, using a mix of clever drop shots and powerful forehands to establish his dominance. Despite Koepfer’s determined efforts, Medvedev’s strategic play earned him a two-set lead, highlighted by a brilliant forehand pass and a crucial break to solidify his advantage.
Koepfer mounted a strong comeback in the third set, capitalizing on Medvedev’s occasional mistakes to level the match. The German player displayed tenacity in his pursuit of a maiden top 10 win at a major, pushing the contest into a tense fourth set with exchanges of breaks and strategic play.
Undeterred by Koepfer’s resurgence, Medvedev showed his resilience and tactical brilliance, delivering a series of well-executed shots to regain control. A majestic backhand on match point ultimately sealed the victory for the fifth seed, overcoming Koepfer’s spirited challenge in a hard-fought battle under the lights of Court Simonne-Mathieu.
Reflecting on his triumph, Medvedev expressed satisfaction with his performance and determination to continue his quest for success at Roland-Garros. Despite the crowd’s vocal support for Gilles Simon, Medvedev remained focused on his objectives, emphasizing his ambition to compete at the highest level and make a lasting impact on the tournament.
