Russian Medvedev happy with win and warm welcome

LONDON: Russian Daniil Medvedev fought off the spirited efforts of British world number 391 Arthur Fery with a 7-5 6-4 6-3 victory over the 20-year-old wildcard on Wednesday (Jul 5) as he starts his latest attempt to make a serious challenge at Wimbledon.

Medvedev, 27, has only once reached the fourth round, though he missed last year's tournament due to the ban on Russian players.

The third seed looked rusty for a while as Fery, making his Tour level debut, knocked him out of his stride with a sustained serve and volley approach. But a rain break at 5-5 in the first set changed the dynamic and Medvedev was generally in control from then on.

"I was pretty nervous, I didn't get to play yesterday so really happy to be back," Medvedev said in a courtside interview.

"Thank you for the nice welcome, especially against Arthur, a British guy. It was amazing as I didn't know what reception I would get and it was unbelievable. I'm not loved everywhere for who I am, sometimes I get crazy on the court, but I am going to be loving my time here and I hope I prolong it."

On paper, it looked like the biggest mismatch of the championships.

Third seed Medvedev was 2021 US Open champion, world number one last year and on a hot streak after winning five tournaments in 2023. Up against him Fery, who turns 21 next week, plays on the American college circuit, was a wildcard entry.

However, the son of French parents, including a mother who played at Roland Garros, came out swinging for winners on just about every shot in a match that ludicrously started 40 minutes late while organisers waited to open the roof.

Fery won his first two service games to love, and though broken to trail 3-2, hit back immediately to raise a huge roar from the Court One