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Daniil Medvedev walks away from the Italian Open — Then hits the jackpot
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- Daniil Medvedev walks away from the Italian Open — Then hits the jackpot
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Daniil Medvedev is looking to build some momentum on clay before the French Open, and he's hoping the Italian Open can help him do just that.
The Russian has played in two events during this clay-court swing and was knocked out early both times.
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He exited the Monte-Carlo Masters in the first round after a heavy 6-0, 6-0 loss to Matteo Berrettini.
Then at the Madrid Open, Medvedev won just two matches before losing to Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round.
But things could be looking up for him in Rome. Medvedev is a former champion there and is aiming to win back the title. He's also just received a bit of good news that could help his chances.
Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Medvedev given a walkover after Tomas Machac pulls out with illness
Medvedev was set to face Tomas Machac in his opening match at the 2026 Italian Open.
The only previous meeting between the two came at Roland Garros in 2024, where Medvedev was pushed to four sets before coming through. But their scheduled rematch won't take place, with Machac withdrawing from Rome due to illness.
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With the walkover, Medvedev moves straight into the third round. He's now just one win away from matching his finishes at this event over the past two years.
Since winning the title in 2023, Medvedev has been knocked out in the fourth round twice in a row, losing to Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti.
Medvedev's first test is an opponent he's never lost to
In the third round, Medvedev will take on his countryman Aslan Karatsev. He has won all five of their previous meetings, including a straight-sets win at last year's Italian Open.
If Medvedev advances again, his fourth-round opponent would be Joao Fonseca or Felix Auger-Aliassime. He holds a 3-0 record against Fonseca and has beaten Auger-Aliassime in six of their seven encounters.
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Looking further ahead, another Russian, Andrey Rublev, could await him in the quarter-finals. Rublev and Medvedev have shared a long history on tour, with 11 matches played between them since they first met in 2021. The head-to-head sits firmly in Medvedev's favour at 8-3.
Sinner, meanwhile, will open his campaign against either Corentin Moutet or Mariano Navone before likely facing Miomir Kecmanovic in round three.
The Italian looks set for a fourth-round meeting with Ben Shelton before a quarter-final clash with Arthur Fils or Jakub Mensik – two rising stars looking to make their mark on tour.
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