Medvedev starts with thrashing win as he hopes to reach another final in Melbourne

| by Zachary Wimer

Daniil Medvedev is a two-time finalist in Melbourne and in 2023, he wants to push it another step further.

The 26-year-old Russian lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 final and then to Rafael Nadal in 2022. This year, he wants to be the one that will end with a trophy in his hands, and he showed it in the first-round showing against Marcos Giron from the United States.

2023 Australian Open ATP & WTA Prize Money & Points Overview - $76,500,000
2023 Australian Open ATP & WTA Prize Money & Points Overview - $76,500,000

The two met already in 2020, with former world no. 1 winning that match 6-4, 6-4. But this time, Medvedev was much more dominant and capitalized on his opponent's mistakes to sprint towards a 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win.

In the first set, both players had number of break points, but only Medvedev was able to use his chances and he did so three times. Therefore, he won the set 6-0, in 38 minutes. Paradoxically, it was the longest set, despite having the smallest number of games possible.

On the other hand, the second set was the fastest one. The Russian lost only three points on his serve and used two out of three break points that he had to win the set 6-1 and strengthen his lead in the match.

Giron started well in the third set as he was up 2-1. However, the third game of the third set was the last he could win, as Medvedev won all the remaining games to book his second-round spot at the 2023 Australian Open.

The seventh-seeded will play against Australia's John Millman, who received a wild-card and defeated Marc-Andrea Huesler in five set thriller in the first round.

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