Medvedev

Two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev reached the third round of the Australian Open after defeating John Millman in straight sets.

But there was one point on the break point and I made one cross-court shot and he didn’t even run, so I go: ‘OK, it’s tough for him also.’ The second and third I was playing even slower like: ‘OK John, if you want to beat me let’s play 30- or 40-shot rallies.’” Millman was gallant and full of grit on Margaret Court Arena and, for the opening hour at least, it looked like it was going to be a long night. The exchanges were long and slow, more pushing and probing than explosive and more unforced errors than winners, and yet it was also highly engaging. Where the man who kept him from last year’s title, Rafael Nadal, [had crumbled and bowed out](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/18/hobbled-rafal-nadal-bows-out-of-australian-open-with-defeat-to-mackenzie-mcdonald) in straight sets hours earlier, Medvedev has the look of a man just getting started. Two days ago he played his best tennis in the last two of his five sets against Marc-Andrea Hüsler, dipping in energy and then re-emerging more alive than the first time. His four-hour sessions including vomit-worthy medicine-ball drills and hitting practice across the width of two courts have injected his lanky limbs with a capacity to tolerate the intolerable, and then tolerate some more.

Daniil Medvedev beat John Millman 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 (ATP)

- Taro Daniel vs. - Sebastian Korda vs. - Denis Kudla vs. - Brandon Holt vs. - Adrian Mannarino vs. - Andy Murray vs.

Daniil Medvedev attempted to copy Marton Fucsovics after winning his Australian Open second-round match.

The 15-time title winner also cracked a joke to Courier, who he peviously said he was excited to see again during the on-court interview for his first-round match on Monday. The world No 8 was then asked about the bizarre move, and immediately made reference to Fucsovics, who celebrated his first-round victory over Federico Coria by taking off his t-shirt and flexing his muscles as fans raced to social media to comment on his "ripped" physique. The seventh seed then explained that he was trying to mock himself in relation to Marton Fucsovics after the world No 78 showed off his "ripped" body following his own win.

Daniil Medvedev remains in contention for his first Australian Open title after dispatching local veteran John Millman in...

"It was a great match. The score in the second and third sets doesn't reflect everything that went on the court," Medvedev said. A wild first set included seven breaks of serve before Medvedev - the beaten finalist in each of the past two years at Melbourne Park - asserted his authority in a 7-5 6-2 6-2 victory.

Daniil Medvedev raised his shorts to reveal his upper left leg as he defeated John Millman in the second ro...

I think we did pretty much four sessions in the gym, real (muscular work) with protein shakes after. I become stronger, I know I become stronger. "In the way my muscles develop ... I think I'm just a little bit less muscles than him, so it was also to laugh about myself ... I can lift stronger weights. READ MORE: I do think I have a little bit of muscles, but definitely not too much." "I remember when I was 16 years old I was still practising in Russia at one moment, so it's the age where you can kind of develop physically, and usually you can develop muscle ...

Daniil Medvedev said he was unsure if he had a point to prove to the crowd at the Australian Open due to a "strange relationship" with them after last year, ...

"It's true I made the finals the last two times here, so feeling good to play in Australia and looking forward to some more matches this year." Open, with antics that included angrily snatching a towel from a ballperson in one match, showing the crowd his middle finger and sarcastically thanking them for their energy. For sure they're going to support him more, but it was really great playing on Margaret Court Arena, playing on Rod Laver the other day. "But again, at least in my life ... I forget things easily, so really happy to be here this year. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story