Medvedev crushes Basilashvili in Vienna to set up Thiem clash
ATP
Daniil Medvedev won his first-round match at the 2022 Vienna Open, beating Nikoloz Basilashvili in two sets.
Medvedev played his first match since retiring against Novak Djokovic in Kazakhstan and it seems that he recovered really well. The former ATP World No. 1 player was drawn against Nikoloz Basilashvili from Georgia in the first round, as there are no first-round byes at the ATP 500 event in Austria.
Dominic Thiem, who showed his incredible fighting spirit in his first-round match, was awaiting the winner of this match in the second round of this tournament.
Medvedev's serve worked well since the match started, and it showed. He was able to break first in the first set, and after three games played, the Russian player enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The top seed hit four aces in the first set and won 81% of points after his first serve. Thanks to his great serving, he managed to keep his lead, and after adding another break, he won the first set 6-2 in just 30 minutes.
The second set was no different than the first one. Medvedev needed only 30 minutes again. Once again, he won 81% of points after his first serve, and this time, he managed to this six aces.
Medvedev didn't face a single break point, and he broke Basilashvili's serve in the fourth and eighth game of the second set to easily win the match in two sets, 6-2, 6-2. That means he will now take on Dominic Thiem in the second round of the tournament.
In a match played before this one, the second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas took on Dennis Novak. The Greek player might meet his big rival in the final, and he started well at the 2022 Vienna Open, defeating the home player 7-6(2), 6-2 in 90 minutes. He will play against Borna Coric in the second round.
