Medvedev manages Gorzny 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 to reach US Open third round

Daniil Medvedev from Russia has a lot to prove. The 2021 US Open champion lost two finals to Rafa Nadal (2019) and Novak Djokovic (2023). While most would be grateful to have these losses on their resume, the former world #1 bowed out in five in the opening round last year.

With the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic out and world #1 Jannik Sinner rehabilitating an injured knee, the world #8 must view this fortnight as a golden opportunity to win his second Grand Slam title.

His second round opponent Sebastian Gorzny, from Fountain Valley, California, received a main draw wildcard having won the American Collegiate Player Wildcard Playoff this past June. Medvedev knew better than to underestimate the twenty-two-year-old American given his five-set victory over world #38 Raphael Collignon.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

With the roof open on Louis Armstrong Stadium, Medvedev won the toss and chose to receive. Recognizing the likelihood that Gorzny would be nervous, the 7th seed capitalized on three consecutive unforced errors to earn the break.

Medvedev missed three consecutive first serves, including a double fault, but with two consecutive aces, held to 15 to consolidate the break. Gorzny made 4/5 first serves and held easily to 15 for 1-2. Medvedev opened the fourth with his third ace and held to 15 while Gorzny donated three additional errors and dumped serve.

Medvedev struck three consecutive winners, including his fourth ace, and consolidated the break for 5-1 with a sizzling forehand down the line. Gorzny, serving to stay in the set, conceded it with four consecutive unforced errors.

The former world No. 1 served first in the second with fresh balls. Although he donated his second double fault, he hit a 128mph ace out wide and held to 30 while Gorzny gifted his first double fault, faced break point and deuce yet held to level.

Medvedev struck an overhead smash and backhand volley winner for 2-1 while Gorzny hit his first ace, second double fault and dropped serve when Medvedev ripped a backhand pass down the line.

The 7th seed hit two consecutive aces and held at love to consolidate the break for 4-1. Gorzny opened the sixth with a netted backhand but with his second ace, held to 30 for 2-4. Medvedev committed two consecutive forehand errors to face 15-30 but, with two consecutive winners including his eighth ace, held to 30 for 5-2.

The American served to stay in the set. While he gifted two unforced errors, he made 4/5 first serves, including a winning serve-and-volley play to hold for 3-5. Medvedev opened the ninth with a netted backhand but, with two outstanding winners including an ace out wide, secured the set 6-3.

Things got tricky in the third. The young American continued to grow in confidence as the partisan crowd urged him on. Although he opened the third with an overcooked backhand, he held to 30 while Medvedev held to 15 to level.

Gorzny repeatedly found success at the net and with the drop shot. Despite his third double fault, he led 40-30, but then it got complicated. He faced four deuce and two break points before holding following a winning serve and half-volley play and a monster serve up the tee.  

Despite his inability to break serve, the Russian remained on course, striking three consecutive winners, including two aces for an easy hold. Gorzny missed 3/5 first serves yet held easily to 15 while Medvedev faced 15-30 and deuce but held with a brilliant backhand volley down the line and a colossal serve down the middle.

The American played with purpose and conviction. He made 5/6 first serves and, with another well-struck drop shot, held to 30 for 4-3. Medvedev was persistent yet patient in the face of a more confident opponent. Although he donated another double fault and faced deuce, he struck his 12th ace and held to level.

Gorzny opened the ninth with two consecutive forehand errors, an ace, two double faults, and faced six deuce and four break points before holding for 5-4! The Armstrong crowd erupted in cheers and applause as he navigated treacherous waters.

With the pressure mounting, the former US Open champion rose to the occasion. Despite facing 0-30, Medvedev unleashed his 13th ace and held to 30 for five-all with a terrific crosscourt forehand. Gorzny opened the eleventh with two consecutive unforced errors and dumped serve with two additional netted volleys.

Medvedev served for the match and a spot in the third round. It’s always a challenge to close out a match and today was no exception. The world #8 faced break point following two consecutive unforced errors but secured victory with his 14th ace and a well-struck smash.

It was a disciplined performance from the thirty-year-old tour veteran. He served exceedingly well, hitting 14 aces to three double faults. He won 87% of first and 44% of second serve points. He was equally effective when returning, winning 40% of first and 58% of second serve return points. He saved the lone break point he faced while converting 5/14.

During his press conference, I asked what adjustments, if any did he made in the third given Grozny’s improved level and confidence, especially with the backhand slice and drop shot. He replied, “Yeah, I mean, I felt like I played pretty good the first two sets. Again, as I say, he was missing as well. But I feel like I just needed to do what I was doing, because I was serving well. Finally, I didn’t have a break point to save till the last game where I could have done a bit better maybe to not have this breakpoint against me.

On his serve, I was still getting chances even with him playing better, so I left like at this point, yes, I see that he’s playing better. If I would lose the set, probably I would need to adjust a bit more, but I was still getting breakpoints, still kind of being in front on my serve, so I just wanted to continue, stay, tough, stay solid. In the end, that’s what happened. I broke him in the important moment. He made some mistakes; I made some passing shots and managed to win.”

Next up for the 7th seed is the always dangerous Frenchman, Arthur Rinderknech. The 26th seed took out the Russian in three at the Shanghai Rolex Masters last fall while Medvedev took their first match in straights at the 2022 US Open. This third-round match will be their third tour-level meeting.