In Beijing
Medvedev takes down Monfils with Beijing’s first confidence
World No. 5 is chasing his first title of 2024 at the China Open
September 27, 2024
Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev defeated Gael Monfils on Friday at the China Open in Beijing.
By ATP staff
After last year he came within touching distance of the trophy at the China Open, will 2024 be the year Daniil Medvedev crosses the line in Beijing?
The third seed made an encouraging start to his campaign on Friday at the ATP 500 event, where he defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round. Medvedev stayed strong throughout the match to win in the 92nd minute and bounce back from losses to Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton last week at the Laver Cup.
The lock was loaded 🫡
2023 runner-up @DaniilMedwed beat Gael Monfils 6-3 6-4 to reach the second round in Beijing.
@ChinaOpen | #China Open pic.twitter.com/y0tjBAmUn3– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 27, 2024
Monfils’ bid for victory was hampered by his inability to match Medvedev’s consistency in the Chinese capital. The Frenchman surrendered 46 unforced errors to just 22 from Medvedev, who converted five of his 10 break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“I think the game plan hasn’t changed much [throughout the match],” said Medvedev, who fell to Jannik Sinner in the 2023 final and will play Adrian Mannarino in this year’s second round. “In a way, we both like to attack only. I think maybe I’m better than him, but I think it’s difficult for him to attack. He defends very well. You have to be a really good attacker, like one of the best, or you need to wait for an opportunity.
“That’s what I tried to do. Wait for my turn. I think I had more chances, so I think I deserved to win.”
By defeating Monfils, Medvedev scored his 40th win of the season. It is the 28-year-old’s sixth career feat, and his latest victory has strengthened his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. Medvedev remains fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 580 points behind fifth-placed Taylor Fritz.
“To be honest, winning, in a way, is not important, because it depends on how many tournaments you play, but it is still good to win a lot of games,” said Medvedev. “So I’m happy that I was able to continue winning games. I still have some tournaments to go, so I have a chance to bring the value even higher. I try to be consistent throughout the year. Sometimes I don’t change, sometimes I don’t, but that’s what I try to do.”
