Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev wasted little time in reaching the second round at the hard-court major on Tuesday, dispatching Hungarian Attila Balazs 6-1, 6-1, 6-0.
The third seed arrived in New York holding a modest 3-2 record at ATP Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, but quickly found his range on Arthur Ashe Stadium to earn his 50th tour-level win of the season after one hour and 16 minutes.
“It is always good to start well,” Medvedev said. “I am happy with my performance. I am looking forward to the next matches and to play for as long as possible in New York. I hope I can play better and better each match as each one is going to be more difficult.”
Medvedev was locked in from deep behind the baseline to limit opportunities for his Hungarian opponent. The World No. 3 committed just 13 unforced errors and did not face a break point to set a second-round meeting against Christopher O’Connell.
“I think at one moment I thought I had total control of the match, I tried to maybe work some shots. Even I felt I was playing better and better throughout the match, I was hitting stronger and more confident in my shots, so that was great,” Medvedev said.
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The 27-year-old holds fond memories at the US Open, having captured his maiden major title in 2021, when he beat Novak Djokovic in the final. Medvedev, who is chasing his second Slam crown this fortnight, has lifted four tour-level trophies on hard courts this year.
Medvedev now holds a 24-5 record at the US Open, earning more wins at the hard-court event than the three other majors (Australian Open 21, Wimbledon 13, Roland Garros 7).
“I won a lot of matches on Ashe. I don’t think I have lost actually a lot. A lot of great matches… I feel like honestly every time I go on Ashe right now, I feel like the crowd is there for me,” Medvedev said. “I honestly feel like New York loves me and that’s very rare that I say something like this about the city (smiling). It’s a great feeling, and I really always love coming back. Always excited to play there.”
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Andrey Rublev swept past #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-1 to snap a three-match losing streak.
The eighth seed lost his opening matches in Toronto and Cincinnati but looked sharper against Cazaux, winning 82 per cent (49/60) of his first-serve points to advance after two hours and 33 minutes. He will next play Taro Daniel or Gael Monfils.
Rublev is a three-time quarter-finalist in New York (2017, ’20, ’22). The 25-year-old’s best result this year was a title run at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
In other action, Alexander Zverev cruised past Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to boost his Nitto ATP Finals qualification chances.
The 26-year-old, who reached the final in New York in 2020, won 86 per cent (50/58) of his first-serve points to advance after two hours and 11 minutes.
Zverev is currently eighth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin (2,715) and knows a deep run at the hard-court major will increase his chances of qualifying for an event he has won twice (2018, ’21). He will next meet Daniel Altmaier or Constant Lestienne.