Former world number three and bronze medalist of the 2012 Olympics, Nadezhda Petrova, commented on Daniil Medvedev’s fierce comeback against Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round of the Australian Open. In an interview with socialbites.ca, Petrova attributed several of Medvedev’s early errors to the unusually long pause before the match began, caused by a preceding lengthy encounter between Elena Rybakina and Anna Blinkova.
Petrova observed that the match unfolded as a tense, marathon-style fight that stretched into five sets. She noted that Medvedev appeared to be waiting for the right moment to settle into his rhythm after a prolonged prelude, whereas Ruusuvuori began with confidence and aggression, finding his footing early but losing momentum as the match progressed. The Russian player, according to Petrova, did not immediately regain full form; instead, he wrestled with his own game, trying to override a momentary lapse with resilience and endurance.
In Petrova’s view, Medvedev’s physical condition was excellent, yet his on-court performance was hampered by an inner struggle and some discontent with his own play. The crucial shift came when Medvedev managed to break the tie in the fourth set, displaying the familiar form that fans associate with him in decisive moments. The fifth set showcased the persistence that underpins his reputation, even when the preceding sets did not go as smoothly as hoped.
Such matches, Petrova argued, are essential for building self-confidence and preparing for stiffer challenges ahead. She emphasized that the atmosphere around Medvedev is now charged with confidence, which bodes well for upcoming opponents who will pose greater tests in the rounds to come.
Medvedev eventually defeated Ruusuvuori in five sets, a victory that followed a struggle in the opening two sets. He did not surrender to his earlier difficulties and closed out the match with a dominant fifth set. The final score stood at 3:6, 6:7 (1:7), 6:4, 7:6 (7:1), 6:0. In the next round, Medvedev was set to face Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime, a matchup that promised another high-intensity contest.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Andreeva had reached the 1/8 finals in Melbourne, a milestone noted with admiration as the young Russian continued to rise through the ranks in spectacular fashion. Source: Socialbites.ca