Medvedev allays injury fears to progress in Paris

Daniil Medvedev allayed fears over his fitness as he enjoyed a comfortable passage into the second round of the French Open.

The Russian who missed time during the clay swing after undergoing a small procedure to treat a hernia problem, returned to Grand Slam action with a win.

Medvedev beat the clearly-unfit Facundo Bagnis of Argentina, whose calf was heavily strapped and his movement restricted, 6-2 6-2 6-2.

Medvedev, who lost his opening-round match at the Geneva Open last week to French veteran Richard Gasquet on his return, was a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros last year after four straight first-round defeats.

Medvedev, barred from playing at Wimbledon due to the ban on Russian players, could still become world No 1 afterwards due to the ATP's decision to strip the tournament of its ranking points, as defending champion Novak Djokovic would lose the 2,000 points he would otherwise be defending.

"Very strange," he admitted, "I need to be honest, but yeah, as I said last time, I'd be really happy to play Wimbledon. I love Wimbledon. I love playing on grass. I will play on grass after Roland Garros.

"But if I cannot, I mean, [I'm] just going to prepare for next tournaments, and, you know, just follow what's happening there. [If] there are no points, I become No 1, well, great for me.

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"If there are points, I cannot become No 1, I'm going to be gutted. It is what it is. I cannot change some decisions, both about ATP and Wimbledon."

Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov was a surprise first-round casualty early on day three.

The Canadian world No 15, who beat Rafael Nadal - albeit an injured version - on clay just a couple of weeks ago, lost