Daniil Medvedev has received off to a profitable begin on the Adelaide Worldwide, however it was removed from a simple match and ended early because of the retirement of Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
Key factors:
- Daniil Medvedev had to work onerous earlier than Lorenzo Sonego’s retirement put him by on the Adelaide Worldwide
- Day three will see the primary Australian look of the summer season for Novak Djokovic
- On Monday evening, Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis started the defence of his Adelaide title with a win over Maxime Cressy
Medvedev was main 7-6 (8/6), 2-1 when Sonego was pressured to retire with an arm harm.
Sonego got here out in aggressive temper, going for it on massive groundstrokes, working passing photographs and courageous dropshots.
The 2021 US Open champion Medvedev seemed to be discovering his toes within the first set, making an attempt to attend out his opponent within the hope of errors.
After being taken to eight deuces earlier than holding serve for 5-5, Medvedev went 0-40 down within the twelfth recreation as Sonego continued to provide him the run round.
The Russian saved all three set factors, earlier than happening to drive a tie-break at 6-6.
The breaker went on serve till the thirteenth level, the place the Italian was serving at 6-6. Medvedev made a uncommon assault, coming to the web and ending a fierce backhand volley to snare the mini-break.
Serving for the set, his second serve appeared very near going lengthy, however was referred to as in. Medvedev received the purpose earlier than unleashing a massive downward fist pump in celebration or reduction taking the primary set in 80 minutes.
Sonego was annoyed, after hitting 21 winners to only 10 for Medvedev within the first set.
The Italian did not let the frustration get to him — he got here out and broke Medvedev within the opening recreation of the second set, however the quantity three seed then grabbed the break again instantly, earlier than holding for 2-1.
All of a sudden, three factors into the fourth recreation, Sonego was pressured to retire with an arm harm.
“What a match to start out the 12 months,” Medvedev advised Channel 9 on court docket afterwards.
“Unlucky for everyone that it completed early, even when we performed one hour forty, however I am comfortable to be by … I want Lorenzo a speedy restoration.”
The following match on court docket after Medvedev-Sonego was Novak Djokovic towards France’s Fixed Lestienne.
Kokkinakis continues profitable run in Adelaide
There is no place like house for Thanasi Kokkinakis, who put one other notch in his Adelaide belt with a first-round win over world quantity 34 Maxime Cressy on Monday evening.
A winner and semifinalist within the two back-to-back occasions right here final 12 months, the Adelaide native once more relished the chance to play in entrance of an appreciative viewers, registering a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (9/7) victory over the towering American.
Kokkinakis fought again from a break down and a set level within the second set to safe a powerful win which he closed out with an ace.
“I had an unimaginable summer season right here final 12 months beginning off in Adelaide and with the (Australian Open) doubles (win) as a cherry on high,” he stated.
“However perpetually the Adelaide week shall be my high second for positive.
“I am hoping to only attempt my arse off each match.”
After an injury-ravaged six years, Kokkinakis used his hometown run as one thing of a springboard to rejuvenate his stuttering profession.
Whereas he did not fairly hit the dizzy heights of one other event win in 2022, he did grow to be ensconced within the high 100.
And with some 340 factors to defend throughout the 2 weeks of competitors in Adelaide, he’ll must be at his finest or threat slipping nicely down the rankings ladder.
However Monday evening was nearly as good a begin as he may hope for. He overcame a knee drawback within the first set, admitting afterwards he wanted to take some painkillers.
But he did not face a break level within the opener and rode the group in addition to his monster forehand when wanted to bounce again within the second.
Serve-volleyer Cressy had been one of many shock packets of the 2022 Australian summer season, going from exterior the highest 100 to succeed in the ultimate of the ATP occasion in Melbourne as a qualifier earlier than making the final 16 on the Australian Open.
Issues get no simpler for Kokkinakis in Adelaide nonetheless, with a vastly improved subject from final 12 months which means there’s each likelihood he’ll meet world quantity 15, Jannik Sinner, within the second spherical.
ABC/AAP
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