Medvedev makes winning return after Open final loss

After a month away, Daniil Medvedev returned to action in typically resolute style yesterday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The World No. 4 overcame Alexander Shevchenko 6-3, 7-5 to kick-start his title defence at the hard-court ATP 500 in the United Arab Emirates.
Medvedev broke in three consecutive return games en route to the first set before reeling off four games in a row from 3-5 in the second set to complete an 88-minute triumph.
“When you take a week or two off, but it’s something you planned, then it’s kind of easy tennis-wise, just a couple of points or games to get back,” said Medvedev, who had to recover from a foot injury in the weeks following his Australian Open final defeat to Jannik Sinner. “I did take a week and a half off by myself and then when I came back I started feeling pain here and there, not practising 100 per cent.
“It’s very tricky, because when you come into a match you have to forget about it and when you think about something other than tennis you are going to lose the match. I managed to do it, I didn’t feel any pain and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Medvedev converted five of nine break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats, as he improved his Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead over Shevchenko to 2-0.
The Kazakhstani showed signs of the ability that has lifted him into the Top 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, but was ultimately unable to wear Medvedev down. “He played well, especially the second set, and that’s why the score was tougher in the second set,” reflected Medvedev. “I managed to play a very good game when he served for the set and managed to (win) the next one on my serve which was tricky.
“In general, to be honest, I am happy with my level, because it is not easy to come back after an injury. You always try to straightaway put your game back, but its not easy and I’m happy to beat such a good opponent and am looking forward to the next round.”
Medvedev is 7-1 for the season, and now holds a 29-2 record on hard courts against opponents outside the Top 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings since the start of 2023. His next opponent in Dubai as he looks to win the same tour-level title twice for the first time will be Lorenzo Sonego or wild card Sumit Nagal.
Also yesterday, Ugo Humbert completed a swift revenge job against his countryman Gael Monfils with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Monfils prevailed in the pair’s Doha quarter-final clash last week but the fifth-seeded Humbert this time rallied to a two-hour, 13-minute win on his Dubai debut.
The World No. 18, chasing his second ATP Tour crown of the year after his win in Marseille earlier this month, next faces 2017 Dubai champion Andy Murray.
Arthur Cazaux also advanced by defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(2).
The qualifier will play second seed Andrey Rublev in the second round today.
Luca Van Assche could not make it three French victories for the day, however, as fourth seed Karen Khachanov overcame the #NextGenATP star 6-2, 6-3.