The "Russian Bear" is back in the hunt at Melbourne Park. After a frustrating 2025 season that saw him tumble out of the top tiers of the ATP rankings, Daniil Medvedev began his 2026 Australian Open journey with a hard-fought straight-sets victory. While the scoreboard read 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2) against Dutchman Jesper De Jong, the nearly three-hour battle was far from a routine day at the office for the former world number one.
A Nervous Start and Tactical Tussle
The opening set served as a microcosm of Medvedev’s current form: flashes of brilliance overshadowed by puzzling lapses in concentration. Medvedev secured an early break, signaling a potentially short afternoon for De Jong. However, the Dutchman—primarily a clay-court specialist—showed remarkable grit on the hard courts of Margaret Court Arena.
The two players traded breaks in a seesaw battle that appeared destined for a tie-break. De Jong’s persistence forced Medvedev to dig deep into his defensive arsenal. The breakthrough finally came in the 11th game, where De Jong blinked under the pressure of Medvedev’s relentless baseline depth. Once the break was secured, Medvedev clinicaly served out the set 7-5.
Dominance and the Return of "Meddy"
The second set was a stark departure from the first, showcasing the version of Medvedev that has reached three Australian Open finals. Moving with newfound fluidity, the 29-year-old dominated the court, breaking De Jong twice in quick succession to race to a 4-0 lead.
One of the highlights of the match came during this stretch, as Medvedev saved three break points with high-velocity serves and expert net play. The Russian’s confidence seemed restored as he closed out the set 6-2, leaving De Jong looking for answers against the 11th seed's suffocating defensive style.
Chaos and Concentration in the Third
Just as the match seemed to be heading toward a swift conclusion, the third set devolved into a chaotic exchange of momentum. De Jong refused to fold, saving four break points in a marathon opening game. Despite falling behind 3-1, the Dutchman stayed within striking distance.
The drama peaked when Medvedev stepped up to serve for the match at 5-4. In a stunning turn of events, a series of unforced errors and a weak second serve allowed De Jong to break back and eventually level the set at 5-5. Medvedev immediately reclaimed the advantage in the 11th game, only to squander it once more, forcing a decisive tie-break.
Ultimately, experience proved the deciding factor. In the tie-break, Medvedev reclaimed his focus, overwhelming De Jong with a 7-2 scoreline to seal the victory.
Statistics Reveal Room for Improvement
While a straight-sets win is a positive start, the statistics suggest that the world number 12 is still searching for his peak level. Despite firing nine aces, Medvedev struggled behind his second serve, winning only 31% of those points.
His aggression resulted in 47 winners but was offset by 36 unforced errors—nearly identical to De Jong’s 39. Most concerning for his coaching team, Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, was the fact that Medvedev faced ten break points throughout the match, a vulnerability that higher-ranked opponents will surely look to exploit.
The Road to Redemption and the Top 10
Medvedev’s motivation this year is clear: recovery. Following his shock second-round exit last year at the hands of American teenager Learner Tien, Medvedev has virtually no points to defend in the early rounds of this tournament. Every victory from here on out provides a massive boost to his ranking.
His next challenge comes in the form of France’s Quentin Halys, who looked sharp in his straight-sets dismissal of Alejandro Tabilo. If Medvedev can navigate the early rounds, a potential fourth-round clash with Daniil’s former nemesis—or perhaps a highly anticipated rematch with Tien—could be the key to his return to the ATP Top 10.
For a player who has often called Melbourne Park his second home, this opening win is the first step in reclaiming his status among the tennis elite.