Wimbledon: I hope that I can show my best tennis, says Daniil Medvedev after reaching fourth round

By India Today Sports Desk: Daniil Medvedev overcame a strong challenge from Marton Fucsovics to secure a place in the fourth round of Wimbledon and continue his impressive 2023 season. The third seed fought back after losing the first set, eventually winning the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a three-hour and four-minute battle.

Medvedev, who has already claimed five titles this year and leads the tour with 44 match wins, reached the second week of a major tournament for the first time in 2023. However, his hopes of reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings were dashed when Carlos Alcaraz defeated Nicolas Jarry on Centre Court.

Playing under a closed roof on No. 1 Court, Medvedev and Fucsovics treated the enthusiastic crowd to an exhilarating display of power hitting, inventive shot making, and athletic court coverage. The match featured numerous drop shots and frequent forays to the net, making it one of the most entertaining encounters of the tournament so far.

Acknowledging Fucsovics’ tough challenge, Medvedev expressed his satisfaction with the victory, highlighting the importance of the tournament for him. He emphasised his motivation to improve his results at Wimbledon, as it has been his least successful Grand Slam in the past. Medvedev acknowledged the growing difficulty of the competition as he progresses further, but he remains determined to showcase his best tennis and enjoy the experience.

“He’s a very tough player to play against and after the first set I was more decisive in some points and saved a couple of break points on my serve. I’m really happy to be through,” Medvedev said about Fucsovics. “I really want to do well here. I wasn’t playing here last year and it’s my worst Grand Slam in terms of results. I have a big motivation to change that. The further you go, the tougher the opponents. I hope that I can show my best tennis and enjoy.”

Fucsovics impressed early on, breaking Medvedev’s serve and claiming the first set. The Hungarian capitalised on Medvedev’s deep-court positions and successfully executed net approaches and serve-volley plays. However, Medvedev’s consistency and defensive abilities came to the forefront as he gradually took control of the baseline exchanges. Despite still committing unforced errors, Medvedev’s improved performance on crucial points and his ability to defend his second serve turned the match in his favor.

In the third set, Medvedev showcased his best tennis, hitting 10 winners with only six unforced errors. After 21 unforced errors in the first two sets, he tightened his game and displayed a higher level of play. With his victory over Fucsovics, Medvedev advanced to face Jiri Lehecka, a 21-year-old Czech player, in the fourth round.