Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, fought his way to a thrilling 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-5 victory over the 102nd-ranked Alexandre Muller on Wednesday, securing his spot in the third round of Wimbledon. The match, held on Centre Court, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Medvedev appearing out of sorts in the early stages. The Russian lost the first set in a tiebreak to the 27-year-old Frenchman, marking their first ever encounter at the Tour level. Medvedev even faced a set point in the second set, narrowly avoiding a 2-0 deficit.
However, the 2021 US Open champion, known for his strong baseline game, found his rhythm as the match progressed. He leveled the match by winning a tiebreak in the second set and then showcased his resilience by taking the third set after a close battle. The match stretched over three and a half hours, with both players showing incredible determination.
Despite needing a medical timeout for a left thigh issue before the fourth set, Muller kept pace with Medvedev. He entertained the crowd with unconventional shots, including underarm serves and tweeners, showcasing his creativity and flair. However, his lack of experience on grass, having won only three matches on the surface in his career, proved to be a disadvantage.
Medvedev, who reached the semi-finals last year at Wimbledon, adapted his strategy, becoming more aggressive at the net after losing the first set. This tactic proved effective, although the second and third sets were characterized by frequent breaks of serve.
The match reached a crucial point in the fourth set, with Muller facing two match points on his own serve. Unfortunately, he faltered, committing a double fault on the second match point, handing the victory to Medvedev.
After the match, the former world number one expressed his satisfaction with the win, commenting on the slowness of the grass surface and his need to adapt. He also expressed his delight at playing on Centre Court, a privilege that was further enhanced by securing a win.
Medvedev’s victory sets up a third-round encounter with Adrian Mannarino, another tough opponent who has shown strong form on grass this season. The match promises to be another intense battle as both players vie for a place in the fourth round.
