French Open: Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas easily progress to round three

Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas breezed through the second round of the French Open 2021 on Wednesday (June 2) with straight set wins. On a day that saw most seeded men’s singles players go through, these three matches stood out. German Zverev needed to win two tie-breakers against Russia’s Roman Safiullin. However, he still managed to beat him 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (1). The six-seeded Zverev will play Croatia’s Laslo Dere in the third round.

“I think he (Safiullin) played a fantastic match. I’m happy to be through in three sets. The match definitely wasn’t easy,” Zverev said after the match.

“I’m happy not to have played another five-setter. I think it’s going to be important for me during the course of this tournament.”

Tsitsipas, however, had it even easier. Going up against Spain’s Pedro Martinez, he registered a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The Greek rising star will now face John Isner in the next round.

“I really like playing in Paris,” Tsitsipas said on court after the match.

“I feel like the fans have embraced me and made me one of them. So, I’m really glad my tennis is there, my performance is there, and I’m able to deliver not just good tennis but also create a good atmosphere on this court.”

American Isner also had an easy outing in the second round. He beat Filip Krajinovic of Serbia, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 7-6 (5) to progress to round three.

But second seed Medvedev had to go a little longer after dropping the first set to American Tommy Paul. However, he went on to register a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Thus, the Russian has an outside chance of becoming the world’s highest ranked men’s singles tennis player. But to do so, he will have to reach the final while hoping Novak Djokovic does not.

Full French Open results

• Alexander Zverev (6) def. Roman Safiullin 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (1).
• Casper Ruud (15) def. Kamil Majchrzak 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
• Federico Delbonis def. Pablo Andujar 4-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
• Laslo Djere def. Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
• Henri Laaksonen def. Roberto Bautista Agut (11) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
• Fabio Fognini (27) def. Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (6), 6-1, 6-2.
• John Isner (31) def. Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (6), 6-1, 7-6 (5).
• Alejandro Davidovich Fokina def. Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 2-6, 6-4.
• Kei Nishikori def. Karen Khachanov (23) 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
• Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) def. Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
• Reilly Opelka (32) def. Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.
• Marcos Giron def. Guido Pella 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
• Pablo Carreno Busta (12) def. Enzo Couacaud 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
• Cristian Garin (22) def. Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3, 8-6.
• Steve Johnson def. Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3.
• Daniil Medvedev (2) def. Tommy Paul 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.