Seventh seed Daniil Medvedev opened his US Open campaign with a commanding straight-sets victory over Hugo Gaston on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Russian, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2021, won 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that featured a strong attacking display and few complications for the former champion.
Medvedev Shakes Off Last Year's Disappointment
Medvedev’s performance was a stark contrast to his first-round exit in the previous year’s tournament. This time, he appeared highly focused, firing 34 winners compared to just 11 from his French opponent. The Russian’s aggressive approach kept Gaston under constant pressure throughout the contest.
Key Moments and Match Analysis
Gaston attempted to disrupt Medvedev’s rhythm with drop shots and underarm serves, but the tactics failed to unsettle the former champion. Medvedev capitalized on his opponent’s errors, securing a break in the seventh game of the first set after a backhand mistake from the Frenchman.
The Russian elevated his level in the second set, benefiting from another Gaston error in the third game before sealing another break with a precise backhand in the seventh. Medvedev maintained his dominance in the third set, breaking serve in the opening game and closing out the match with an unreturnable serve.
Medvedev's Post-Match Comments
Reflecting on the match, Medvedev said: “You have to play your style. I knew he would go for some drop shots and underarm serves, and I had to hit winners and put pressure on him.”
Looking Ahead to the Second Round
The victory came just days after Medvedev’s early exit from the Winston-Salem Open, a loss that prompted him to joke about taking up pickleball. In the second round, Medvedev will face the winner of the match between American wildcard Sebastian Gorzny and Belgian Raphael Collignon.
