Madrid (AFP)
World No.3 Daniil Medvedev, back on the circuit after testing positive for Covid-19 in mid-April, obtained his first clay court victory in more than two years, in the second round of the Masters 1000 in Madrid on Wednesday.
Medvedev needed more than two hours to defeat Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (49th) in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-2) for his first ocher match in 2021.
The Russian had the bad surprise of being tested positive for Covid-19 before entering the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo.
He explained on Sunday that he had had the symptoms of a "bad cold" but felt "in good shape" again.
His previous match dated back to March 31 at the Masters 1000 in Miami (loss to Bautista in the quarterfinals).
But his last victory to date on clay dates back to the end of April 2019, the year when he reached in quick succession the last four in Monte-Carlo and the final in Barcelona.
Medvedev does not hide being largely allergic on the surface: in four participations, he has never crossed the first round at Roland Garros.
In Madrid, this is his first victory, his third appearance.
In two in Rome, he has not won a single match.
"I love clay," he said ironically on the camera signed by the players at the end of the matches.
In total, the finalist of the last Australian Open has only eleven successes on ocher.
In the round of 16, Medvedev will face Chilean Cristian Garin (25th).
© 2021 AFP