Daniil Medvedev survives scare to advance to French Open Third Round

Daniil Medvedev recovered from a slow start to book his place in the French Open third round after seeing off Tommy Paul 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-3 at Roland Garros on Wednesday.

The second seed, who only scored his first-ever win in this major against Kazakhstan’s Sasha Bublik in round one, appeared in trouble as he lost the opening set to world number 52 Paul.

The American arrived in the match having won nine of his previous 15 on clay this season, while recently reaching the Parma Open semi-finals.

However, Medvedev rapidly responded to level, before controlling the next two sets to secure only his sixth victory on this surface in two years.

The world number two’s reward is a third-round showdown with another American in Reilly Opelka.

Elsewhere, fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased past Pedro Martinez in straight sets – as did Madrid Open winner Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud against Roman Safiullin and Kamil Majchrzak respectively.

Meanwhile, Kei Nishikori continued his impressive record in deciding sets as he edged past 23rd seed Karen Khachanov.

The former world number four, who is 26-7 in career matches that have gone to a fifth set, will now play Henri Laaksonen after the Swiss player eliminated 11th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 2-6 6-3 6-2.

Chile’s Cristian Garin also prevailed in a deciding set; the 22nd seed recovering from 2-0 down and saving two match points before scraping past Mackenzie McDonald.

Over in the Ladies’ singles, Serena Williams’ latest quest for a 24th Grand Slam title resumed with a 6-3 5-7 6-1 win over Mihaela Buzarnescu; setting up a third-round showdown with compatriot Danielle Collins.

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka is through to round three for the first time since 2015 after beating 18-year-old Clara Touson 7-5 6-4.

There, she will play Madison Keys, who also advanced in straight sets against Leylah Fernandez.

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka was a 7-5 6-3 winner over Aliaksandra Sasnovich, while 2019 runner-up Marketa Vondrousova overcame home favourite Harmony Tan 6-1 6-3 in just over an hour.

But there was no joy for 10th seed Belinda Bencic, who was beaten 2-6 2-6 by Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.

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French Open 2021 Results

Wednesday June 2

Second Round

Court Philippe Chatrier

Harmony Tan 1-6, 3-6 Marketa Vondrousova
Karen Khachanov 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 Kei Nishikori
Serena Williams 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 Mihaela Buzarnescu
Tommy Paul 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 3-6 Daniil Medvedev

Court Suzanne-Lenglen

Alexander Zverev 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 Roman Safiullin
Polona Hercog 7-5, 6-4 Caroline Garcia
Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 Pedro Martinez
Aliaksandra Sasnovich 5-7, 3-6 Aryna Sabalenka

Court Simonne Mathieu

Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-2 Belinda Bencic
Henri Laaksonen 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 Roberto Bautista Agut
Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-4 Clara Tauson
Enzo Couacaud 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 Pablo Carreno Busta

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