PARIS — If anybody thought a few current runs to Week 2 on the French Open and a clay-court title a bit greater than per week in the past made Daniil Medvedev a bit fonder of the pink stuff, neglect it.
A primary-round loss because the No. 2 seed at Roland Garros – towards Thiago Seybolt Wild, a qualifier ranked 172nd who by no means had received a Grand Slam match wherever till Tuesday – positive reminded Medvedev of his distaste for the gradual floor utilized in Paris.
“I had a mouthful of clay since probably the third game of the match, and I don’t like it. I don’t know if people like to eat clay, to have clay in their bags, in their shoes, the socks – white socks, you can throw them (into the) garbage after clay season,” mentioned Medvedev, who received the 2021 U.S. Open and reached three different main finals on arduous courts. “Maybe some people like it. I don’t.”
Seybolt Wild wanted to win three matches in qualifying rounds final week simply to make it into the boys’s bracket – one thing he’d didn’t do on eight earlier makes an attempt at Slams – however appeared very very like he belonged on Court Philippe Chatrier. He hit huge forehands and saved his nerve down the stretch to oust Medvedev 7-6 (5), 6-7 (8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
It’s the primary time the second-seeded man misplaced within the first spherical of the French Open since 2000, when Pete Sampras – no fan of clay himself – was eradicated by Mark Philippoussis.
“It definitely was the happiest day of my life,” mentioned Seybolt Wild, a 23-year-old from Brazil. “I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I knew how to play. I have watched him play 1,000 times already. I just had to believe in myself.”
So what was his recreation plan getting in?
“Walking on the court, I really just wanted to get the angles, try to get to the net as much as possible, try to use my forehand against his,” Seybolt Wild defined. “It worked pretty well.”
Did it ever.
Employing a high-risk, high-reward fashion, Seybolt Wild compiled a 69-45 edge in whole winners, together with 47-15 on the forehand facet.
He hadn’t even performed a tour-level main-draw match in any respect in 2023, as a substitute competing on the lower-level ATP Challenger Tour. At his most up-to-date occasion, in Turin, Italy, Seybolt Wild made it to the quarterfinals and left with a paycheck for $5,950.
“His life is going to be better if he plays like this every match,” Medvedev mentioned. “He’s going to get more money, more sponsors, win big titles. But he has to play like this. Not once on the Philippe Chatrier, but a lot of times in different tournaments all over the world throughout the year.”
At his information convention, Seyboth Wild drew the type of consideration and questions that arrive when a comparatively unknown participant pulls off a surprising win.
One reporter pulled out some puns associated to Seyboth Wild’s final title, together with references as to if this was his “wildest victory” and exceeded his “wildest dreams” – to which the response was: “I honestly don’t know how many times I have heard that joke, but it never gets old.”
Later, a question arrived about a much more critical matter: The Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors’ workplace charged Seyboth Wild in June 2022 with home violence towards his ex-partner. He has denied any wrongdoing; a ruling is anticipated someday this yr.
“I don’t think it’s a subject we should talk about … right here,” Seyboth Wild mentioned. “I don’t think it’s a question you should be (asking).”
Medvedev‘s exit was the most significant result as the first round closed. The top women’s seeds in motion all superior, together with defending champion Iga Swiatek, 2022 runner-up Coco Gauff, reigning Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina and two-time main finalist Ons Jabeur. So did No. 4 Casper Ruud (the runner-up to Rafael Nadal a yr in the past), No. 6 Holger Rune, No. 9 Taylor Fritz and No. 16 Tommy Paul among the many males.
Good as he’s at all times been on arduous courts, Medvedev by no means was recognized for his prowess on clay: He started his French Open profession with a 0-4 report. But he’s been displaying indicators of enchancment, reaching the quarterfinals in Paris in 2021 and the fourth spherical final yr, and claiming the trophy on the floor in Rome this month.
He simply might by no means fairly get the higher hand throughout a 4-hour, 15-minute contest.
Medvedev, who was handled by a coach for a nosebleed within the third set, didn’t assist himself by double-faulting a career-high 15 instances, one thing he blamed partially on the wind that topped 15 mph.
By turns, Medvedev credited Seybolt Wild for enjoying effectively, saying the man might find yourself ranked within the high 30 by yr’s finish, but additionally appeared a bit miffed.
“I honestly hope he’s going to play like this later on,” Medvedev mentioned, “because if not, I’m going to be disappointed. I’m going to be like, ‘Why today? Why not in two days?’”
He was requested how he would characterize his relationship with clay, now that this portion of the tour calendar is completed.
“Every time it finishes, I’m happy,” Medvedev replied. “So I’m happy. I’m happy again.”
• AP sports author Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo, Brazil, contributed to this story.
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