Daniil Medvedev falls to shock French Open first-round defeat against Thiago Seyboth Wild

World No 2 Daniil Medvedev has fallen at the first hurdle in the French Open after losing to Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

On the court where Brazilian great Gustavo Kuerten lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires three times, 23-year-old Seyboth Wild delighted the Philippe Chatrier crowd with his attacking tennis.

After winning the opening set, the world No 172 looked to have blown his chance when he failed to convert a 6-4 lead in the second-set tie-break and missed the easiest of overheads to hand Medvedev the set.

The Russian comfortably won the third as well but Seyboth Wild fought back brilliantly in the fourth and broke the Medvedev serve three times in the decider to win 7-6, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a four-hour 15-minute marathon battle.

“I have watched Daniil play for my entire junior career, up until today. Playing on this court against this kind of player and beating him is a dream come true,” Seyboth Wild said.

“Walking on court I just wanted to get to the net as much as possible and use my forehand against his and it worked pretty well.”

Seyboth Wild, who has won two ATP Challenger Tour titles this year, was competing in his first tour-level match this season and will now face Quentin Halys or Guido Pella in the second round.

“It was pretty tough. I started cramping in the second set. I did my best and tried to play my best tennis and it worked,” he added. “I am really happy with the way I played.”

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