Medvedev through after scare on Court No.1

Daniil Medvedev (3) bt Marton Fucsovics (Hun) 4-6/6-3/6-4/6-4

By Charlie Stong on Court No.1

World number three Daniil Medvedev survived a scare on Court No.1 this afternoon to beat Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in four sets.

Medvedev came from a set down to win 4-6/6-3/6-4/6-4 in 3hrs 4mins mins and reach the fourth round.

The Hungarian started well, encouraged by the support of the majority of the crowd, playing as he was against a man whose country is allowed to compete at this year’s Championships – but only if it remains nameless.

Medvedev was broken in the third game of the match, and thereafter the first set went with serve, the highlight of which was a Becker-esque diving forehand volley Fucsovics produced to go 5-3 up.

And although Medvedev held serve in the next game, the Hungarian appeared in complete control of his emotions to take the set 6-4.

Medvedev struck in the fourth game of the second set to take a 3-1 lead, breaking his opponent to love thanks to some superb groundstrokes and a double fault from Fucsovics.

Medvedev was then forced to save a break point in the next game, before securing a 4-1 lead.

Three relatively straightforward service holds then followed for Medvedev to go 5-3 up.

He then set up set point on his own serve with an ace, and when Fucsovics hit a backhand long, the match was all square at one set apiece.

Fucsovics all of a sudden looked slightly rattled. He threw away his first service game of the third set with three wild forehands which flew long, and followed it up with similar unforced errors for Medvedev to move 2-0 ahead.

A succession of simple service holds followed, and at 2-4 the crowd cheered Fucsovics as he eventually won the longest rally of the match.

Medvedev tried to get the crowd on his side in the next game, waving his arms in encouragement after winning a point with a superb angled drop shot.

The crowd obliged – begrudgingly. Fucsovics held, but Medvedev was soon ahead 5-3. Fucsovics saved a set point in the next game before holding, but Medvedev saw out the set 6-4 thanks to a powerful serve.

Medvedev was now sensing victory. He set up a break point in the third game of the set with a strong forehand to Fucsovic’s toes at the net, and his opponent was soon behind in the set.

Medvedev held his next two service games relatively comfortably, but Fucsovis was still fighting at 2-4, despite calling for the trainer early in the set.

Medvedev was playing better by now. He held his next service game for a 5-3 lead, and despite Fucsovics saving two match points on his own serve, was able to serve out for a 6-4 win in the fourth.

Pictured top: Marton Fucsovics v Daniil Medvedev on Court No.1 today (Picture: Charlie Stong)