Daniil Medvedev follows Carlos Alcaraz into Wimbledon R2

The 5th seed and last year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Daniil Medvedev is safely through into the second round at the All England Club. The Russian met Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round and claimed a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 triumph on Court 1, sealing the deal in an hour and 47 minutes. Medvedev fired 16 aces and outplayed Kovacevic on serve and return. The American struggled behind the second serve, dropping 42% of the points in his games and suffering four breaks from eight chances offered to the Russian. Daniil played against three break points in the only loose service game, defending them and keeping the pressure on the other side. The 5th seed landed 33 winners and 17 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and making a reliable start.

Daniil Medvedev, Wimbledon 2024© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Medvedev held in the first game of the match with a service winner and landed a slice winner in the next one for a break chance. Kovacevic netted a volley at the net, dropping serve and falling behind. The American held after deuces in the fourth game before the Russian clinched the next one at 30 for 4-1. The 5th seed held at love in the seventh game, forcing his rival to serve to stay in the set. Aleksandar held at 30 with a service winner, prolonging the battle and hoping for a late return chance. Kovacevic welcomed Medvedev’s forehand error and generated three break chances. Daniil erased them with winners and seized the first set point for 6-3 after 33 minutes.

Daniil Medvedev, Wimbledon 2024© Julian Finney / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Daniil Medvedev beat Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets at Wimbledon.

The Russian barely lost a point behind the initial shot in the second set, providing five comfortable holds and keeping the pressure on his opponent. Kovacevic served well early on, leading 3-2 before losing ground in game seven from 30-0. He called for a wrong challenge before Medvedev seized a break point with a powerful return winner. A service winner pushed the 5th seed 5-3 in front, and he wrapped up the set with a hold at love in game ten, forging two sets to love advantage after an hour and ten minutes. Daniil made another push on the return at the beginning of the third set. He seized the third break point with a forehand down the line winner, moving closer to the finish line.

Aleksandar Kovacevic, Wimbledon 2024© Julian Finney / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Medvedev cemented the lead with a hold at love in game two after an ace and extended his great run on the return. The Russian converted the third break point, opening a 3-0 advantage and marching toward the finish line. Kovacevic served well in games five and seven, extending the battle and seeking one last chance at 2-5. Daniil created two match points with a service winner and missed them, with Aleksandar denying the second with a backhand winner. Medvedev earned the third match point and landed an ace, sealing the deal and moving into the second round in style.