AFP: World No 2 Daniil Medvedev was knocked out of the French Open in the first round Tuesday, losing in five sets to 172nd-ranked Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil as Roland Garros attempted to move on from Novak Djokovic’s Kosovo controversy.
Seyboth Wild, who came through the qualifiers and had never previously won a Grand Slam match, triumphed 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
It was Medvedev’s fifth loss in the opening round at Roland Garros in seven appearances.
“It’s a dream come true to beat these kinds of players on this court,” said the 23-year old Brazilian who unleashed 69 winners on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“I was cramping in the second set and couldn’t really serve the way I wanted but I tried to play my best tennis.”
Seyboth Wild, without a win on the main tour since February 2022, held his nerve in the conclusion of the four-hour 15-minute match, one of a Grand Slam record 21 first round ties to require five sets.
He twice saw breaks retrieved by Medvedev in the deciding set before finally backing up a third break with a hold for 5-3. Two giant forehands secured victory.
Medvedev arrived in Paris buoyed by winning his first ever clay court title at the Italian Open last week for his fifth trophy of 2023.