ROME — Daniil Medvedev advanced to the last 16 of the Rome Masters by edging out Hamad Medjedovic 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 7-5, as the men’s tournament was left wide open by big-name exits, the latest being fourth seed Andrey Rublev.
“I’m not really pleased. I felt like I started the match well and then in a way it was only going downhill,” said Medvedev according to Reuters.
“I’m happy that by not playing my best I could win and I’m going to try to find my best tennis.”
Rome is missing the world’s top three men following Novak Djokovic’s third-round elimination, with Italian world number two Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both withdrawing ahead of the event.
And Russian Rublev, fresh from claiming the Madrid title, suffered a shock third-round defeat by French qualifier Alexandre Muller, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Sixth seed and reigning Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas is still in the fray after beating Briton Cameron Norrie in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) but is concerned at the impact of a punishing schedule on the top players.
“The extension of the days in the Masters 1000s I think plays a massive role and contributes a lot to the fact that these players are getting injured,” Tsitsipas told reporters.
Elina Svitolina again refused to shake hands with Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka after losing their first meeting since their row at the 2023 French Open.
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