No. 8 Daniil Medvedev off to an emphatic start

At Wimbledon, 8th seed Daniil Medvedev took care of business in the first round in straight sets and by an emphatic margin. The Russian, near the top of the world rankings, produced a superior performance from start to finish on grass against his experienced opponent Marin Čilić, winning the match 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to book his place in the second round of the main draw. The contest lasted 1 hour and 53 minutes.

Starting very fast, Daniil Medvedev took the first set by a clear 6-1 to give his opponent virtually no chance. Maintaining his edge in the second too, the Russian broke his opponent's serve repeatedly with the intense pressure he created on return, taking the set 6-2 to extend his lead. Those two sets showed the match was entirely under Daniil Medvedev's control.

In the third, Čilić raised his resistance a little but not enough to change the picture. Keeping his serve steady, Daniil Medvedev gave his opponent no opening at the key moments and took the set 6-4 to close the match out in straight sets. The statistics show the Russian's clear edge on return shaped the course of the match; his effectiveness at breaking his opponent's serve stood out in particular.

For Daniil Medvedev, always one of the strong players on grass and with good results on the surface in the past, this win was an encouraging, energy-saving start. Getting through the first round of a Grand Slam quickly and in straight sets is an advantage for the rounds ahead too. Through to the second round, Daniil Medvedev aims to lift his form during the grass-court season and keep his bid at the tournament alive.

By the numbers (Čilić-Daniil Medvedev): Score 1-6, 2-6, 4-6 · Winners 22-28 · Unforced errors 34-14 · Break points won 1/4 - 7/8 · 1st serve points won 64%-73% · 2nd serve points won 31%-50% · Time 1:53

Image: Sky Sports