It may be only two days since Novak Djokovic left Australia with his tail between his legs, but already Daniil Medvedev is feeling his absence. And no, it has nothing to do with the bromance that developed between the pair towards the end of last season, when they became regular practice partners and formed a mutual appreciation society via the media. Medvedev, who claimed his first major title at Flushing Meadows last September by thwarting the Serb’s bid for a calendar-year grand slam, says he would have relished the challenge of trying to avenge his emphatic loss to Djokovic in last year’s Australian Open final.
“Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena is probably his favourite place in the world, because the amount of matches, the amount of finals, semi-finals he won here is sensational,” said Medvedev after safely negotiating his opening round match against Henri Laaksonen 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).
“I remember last year where I was like, ‘Well, OK, that’s a good challenge, trying to stop him.’ I was far, far away from doing that. So actually I like challenges – I would love to have this chance again, to play him in the final here in Rod Laver. [Whether] he beat me or not, it’s a good challenge – and I like challenges in my career. But it cannot change my approach, because it’s still seven tough matches to win [the tournament].
“If we talk about the US Open, where I managed to beat him in the final, it was the same. You know, I had six tough matches against tough opponents to get in the final. Then I had Novak himself to beat. He was going for something special. I managed to prepare the match well. Played quite good tennis. Served big. Managed to win the match.
“And [it’s] the same, no matter how I do here, how far I go, if I’m in the final, who I play, it’s not going to be easy. You need to show your best to win a slam.”
When Medvedev drove a forehand long to drop his opening service game, it fleetingly appeared his best might prove elusive against the 91st-ranked Swiss. But Laaksonen, who combines a wristy topspin forehand with a versatile double-fisted backhand that frequently morphs into an elegant one-handed slice, has a game more naturally suited to clay. There were moments when he troubled Medvedev, but the difficulty in the early stages came in parlaying the odd eye-catching point into more tangible reward. Another six games passed before he next troubled the scoreboard, by which time Medvedev – who would not face a single break point in sets two and three – was a set to the good and cruising.
Laaksonen turned up the power in the third set, exchanging holds all the way to a tiebreak. But not even losing a 32-shot rally early in the breaker could unsettle Medvedev as he bided his time, waiting for the Swiss storm to blow itself out. The Muscovite’s approach spoke volumes for the confidence he feels after joining the elite circle of active players who can claim to have won a grand slam.
“After the US Open, I know that I’m capable of playing seven great matches in a row on the same court or [at the] same venue, beating the best players in the world, serving good,” said Medvedev, who will face a potentially sterner test against Nick Kyrgios in the next round.
“Sometimes maybe playing worse, but still capable of winning matches. And that’s the biggest confidence I can give myself – just knowing that it’s possible. It’s impossible to win every tournament you play in the year, or every tournament you play in your life. But the more you win, the more confidence you give yourself to know for the next one that you’re capable of doing it.”