Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed and 2021 US Open champion, showcased his dominance on Saturday night, effortlessly dispatching Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to secure his place in the fourth round. The Russian, now the sole former New York champion remaining in the men’s draw after the early exits of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, displayed his trademark resilience and strategic prowess to navigate the challenging conditions and avoid the tournament’s potential upsets.
Medvedev, known for his exceptional defensive abilities, acknowledged the potential pitfalls of the US Open’s unpredictable nature, stating that while upsets are inevitable, the key lies in adapting to the tricky conditions. He emphasized his belief in his capabilities, stating, “If I play good tennis I can win the whole thing. If I don’t play good I can lose against anyone.” Reflecting on his unexpected position in the tournament, Medvedev expressed his excitement while recognizing the magnitude of the task ahead, stating, “It’s a fun feeling from one side but from the other side, it’s a new tournament. I need to play my best to try to win it again.”
The match witnessed intense rallies, testing Medvedev’s defensive skills against Cobolli’s relentless attacks. Despite facing a formidable opponent, Medvedev, aptly nicknamed “the Octopus” for his incredible court coverage, managed to outmaneuver his opponent. After securing the opening set with two breaks, the Australian Open runner-up solidified his control over the match by edging a closely contested second set. The third set proved to be a tight affair, with both players struggling to hold serve. However, Medvedev remained composed and capitalized on his opportunities to secure victory, booking his spot in a fourth-round clash against Portuguese Nuno Borges.
Addressing the challenging conditions, Medvedev highlighted the impact of the humidity on the match, noting that it slowed down the pace of play. He described the match as “a little bit up and down” while acknowledging the importance of his improved serve performance in the latter stages of the encounter. “It was a fun match to play,” he concluded, reflecting on the demanding but ultimately satisfying victory.
