Cramping Medvedev squeezes to tight clay win

Daniil Medvedev began the fight-back into his accustomed elite ATP status with a struggling 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 defeat of Karen Khachanov to begin play on Monday at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Medvedev, the 2021 US Open winner, finds himself ranked outside the top eight for the first time in six years after winning his last title in Rome two years ago and currently standing 11th in the world.

Since lifting the New York four years ago, the 29-year-old has lost three Grand Slam finals.

But it took the ninth seed nearly three hours to overcome Khachanov, with the pair converting on a combined 17 of 26 break points in the struggle.

Medvedev led by double breaks in both the second and this sets, wrapping up the hard-fought win as his leg began to cramp two points from the finishing line.

Leading a set and 4-1, he might have thought the match was done.

“Clay is not my favourite surface, but I trained here better than I played today,” he said. “I’m happy to win,

“I’m happy with my level in general and I’m looking forward. A long preparation on clay helped me to play well today.”

Medvedev looked to have the opening set under control with a 5-1 lead. But that set still took nearly another hour to complete.

Longtime rival Khachanov squared the match at a set each before Medvedev limped home to victory.

Medvedev improved to 7-2 versus Khachanov in a reversal of the scoreline between the pair here in 2024.

Main photo:- Daniil Medvedev struggles to victory over compatriot Karen Khachanov – byATPTour.com