19:40
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 4:4
As in the first set, Kozlov seems to give up his serve immediately after his own re-break. Medvedev has three chances to make it 5:4!
19:38
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 4:4
Medvedev now lacks consistency when serving. Because he also makes several unusual mistakes on the backhand, the defending champion collects the re-break directly.
19:34
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 4:3
And there’s the break! At the right moment, the defending champion picks up the pace and snatches the opponent’s serve. Can he close the second set in a timely manner?
19:33
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 3:3
Now Daniil Medvedev is also showing emotions. He gets a stop from Kozlov with very fast legs and gets the point at the net. So the favorite has two breakballs here.
19:30
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 3:3
Such games “help” but both. In just over a minute, Medvedev serves to make it 3:3.
19:29
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 2:3
If Kozlov can actually get the second set here and we’re still a bit away from that, then it will soon be a question of strength. In very summery temperatures, the American looks a lot more exhausted than the favorite.
19:26
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 2:3
Then comes Kozlov’s fist, who scores the point here with an outstanding backhand longline and sets the course for the 3:2.
19:22
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 2:2
But Kozlov also shows courage every now and then. The American always goes far forward for the return, especially against the second serve, in order to put direct pressure on him. But it only helped to two points in this game, Medvedev gets the 2:2.
19:18
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 1:2
Medvedev doesn’t play badly here, but you can tell when he’s picking up the pace and when not. The Russian allows Kozlov too easily in this phase.
19:12
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 1:1
Very important from the favorite’s point of view that he can still turn the game around and doesn’t have to immediately chase after a deficit. In the decisive phase, he can rely on the serve, beating his aces five and six.
19:11
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 0:1
Kozlov actually has a break ball here, but Medvedev can quickly defuse it with his fourth ace. Nevertheless, the Russian doesn’t seem confident at the beginning of set two.
19:05
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 0:1
Even if Kozlov has already served his fourth double fault, he gets the 1-0 here. You can tell that the American takes a risk with his own service to put Medvedev under direct pressure.
19:03
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2, 0:0
It’s now into the second set on the Arthur Ashe, which is of course not overly full on a Monday afternoon in the first week of the tournament.
18:54
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 6:2
And now the defending champion is putting the lid on this first set. Medvedev served to win round one with zero.
18:51
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 5:2
But in the end it’s not enough. Kozlov wants to go to the net, but is too despondent with his attack ball. The American misses a good chance and concedes the break.
18:49
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 4:2
But Kozlov has not given up here. The American plays two very good slices in a row and catches Medvedev on the wrong foot. The challenger can actually make a debut here.
18:46
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 4:2
And that’s exactly how he gets three breakballs again. Sentence number one is probably already being decided.
18:45
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 4:2
Can Daniil Medvedev now take the momentum and control the match? At least it seems so for the time being. The Russian serves well and then plays the points very carefully.
18:40
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 3:2
Kozlov fights back but fails again. The American no longer serves well and is put under direct pressure by Medvedev. And if the number one in the world can distribute the balls in peace, it will be very difficult. The Russian gets the break to zero.
18:36
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 2:2
Everything back in order! This time Medvedev goes to the net after the opponent’s return is too short, but is passed by Kozlov.
18:36
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 2:1
But it seems as if the underdog would report back here directly. Medvedev does not serve well, makes a double fault, among other things, and now has breakball against him.
18:32
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 2:1
There’s the break! Daniil Medvedev secures the 2-1 lead because he distributes the balls well with his forehand and plays a little closer to the lines.
18:27
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 1:1
Both players are still very concerned about safety. They don’t show much risk or high speed in this phase. It’s still exciting, because it’s about a debut.
18:22
D. Medvedev – S. Kozlov 1:1
Daniil Medvedev can also rely on his serve in the crucial moments. He doesn’t manage an ace, but the Russian can still score free points.
18:20
D.Medvedev – S.Kozlov 0:1
But Kozlov also has something to offer out of the game in this early phase. With good footwork he can not only free himself but also put Medvedev under pressure and even take a 30-0 lead.
18:18
D.Medvedev – S.Kozlov 0:1
Of course, Kozlov absolutely needs his serve against Medvedev in order not to get into too long rallies. This now helps him to start the match with a sense of achievement.
18:15
D.Medvedev – S.Kozlov 0:0
Here we go! Kozlov starts this game with his own serve and finds his way into the game very well. The first two points go to the American!
17:37
Premiere for Kozlov
On paper, the first hurdle for Medvedev is not a particularly big one. Stefan Kozlov was in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time this year, today’s appearance will be the first at the US Open outside of qualifying. There are certainly easier tasks than playing the first match on the Arthur Ashe against the number one.
17:24
Can Medvedev defend the title?
As the defending champion, Daniil Medvedev is of course automatically one of the top favourites. With the cancellations of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, the likelihood of another title is of course even greater. But it is also clear that the two tournament weeks have to be played first and every hurdle has to be cleared.
17:11
Warm welcome!
Good evening and hello to the US Open 2022! The last Grand Slam tournament of the year starts today and the honor of opening the Arthur Ashe belongs to the defending champion Daniil Medvedev, who meets the American Stefan Kozlov at 6 p.m.