2021 Roland Garros - Men's Singles R3 - Daniil Medvedev (2) vs Reilly Opelka (32)

[dapchai]

The pair's first ever meeting on clay and at a slam. H2H is 2-1 in favor of Medvedev; all of their previous matches were on hardcourt and went 3. In their most recent encounter, Opelka upset Medvedev at the 2020 St. Petersburg Open where the Russian was the defending champion. Who wins?

 

[Nadal_King]

Two biggest seeds in bottom half get tall big americans in 3rd round but considering its clay Medvedev shouldn't let this one slip against opelka, he looks in good form so this one should be easy although you never with big servers

 

[stringertom]

Two biggest seeds in bottom half get tall big americans in 3rd round but considering its clay Medvedev shouldn't let this one slip against opelka, he looks in good form so this one should be easy although you never with big servers

Opelka got to the Rome SFs just two weeks ago by beating four guys that have won this week (Gasquet, Musetti, Karatsev and Delbonis) before losing 4&4 to eventual champion Nadal. This match has 4 TBs waiting to happen if Meddie holds his mettle. If it goes five sets they will finish sometime Sunday.

 

[aldeayeah]

If Medvedev expects to grind his way out of this one he's in for a surprise - he needs to keep moving the giant around.

I don't think Rome was a mirage - Opelka has definitely a working game plan.

 

[Krish872007]

I think Opelka can get it done, potentially in 4 sets.

 

[stringertom]

I think Opelka can get it done, potentially in 4 sets.

With lots of 7 on the scoreboard, no?

 

[dapchai]

With lots of 7 on the scoreboard, no?

That's definitely expected. The pair's scorelines are full of 7's.

 

[Hawks9451]

If Medvedev expects to grind his way out of this one he's in for a surprise - he needs to keep moving the giant around.

I don't think Rome was a mirage - Opelka has definitely a working game plan.

Med can move the mountain easy

 

[El_Yotamo]

I really do think if Medvedev isn't super focused then Opelka in 5

 

[ForehandCross]

When's the match?

 

[ForehandCross]

When's the match?

Got it 4 hrs from right now, my time shifts for country to country is always messed up.

 

[Forehanderer]

Russian bear to beat American bear in 4. There won't be bigfoot sighting in Paris for a while

 

[dapchai]

This is gonna take place late today, probably at dusk.

 

[James P]

Next match on Suzanne Lenglen.

 

[zuluzazu]

Its started

 

[zuluzazu]

Medvedev loses 2 BPs and the match is on serve now. 2-1 Opelka with Med serving

 

[James P]

He actually squandered 4 BPs.

 

[James P]

Opelka draws first blood. 3-1 in the 1st.

 

[zuluzazu]

Med breaks back

 

[ForehandCross]

Was watching Fokina -Ruud, how is Medvedev doing?

 

[ForehandCross]

What a lob, what a lob return, the very first point!!

 

[James P]

Was watching Fokina -Ruud, how is Medvedev doing?

Traded breaks in the 4th and 5th games, otherwise pretty standard affair. Both returning each other fairly well.

 

[Kralingen]

Medvedev is so good. I always said the clay issue was mostly mental with him

 

[ChaelAZ]

This is really an interesting match up. Med is also getting more tolerant and building more game on clay, so we will see. I don't see anything clear cut. That said, normally I would pick Med, but given the surface and how well Riley is playing I think Opelka can take it.

 

[Sudacafan]

Opelka has a high pilosity beard. Does he use minoxidil?

 

[Sudacafan]

Medvedev is so good. I always said the clay issue was mostly mental with him

He said clay was a virus.

 

[ForehandCross]

Opelka looks a little funny with that outfit and look

 

[dapchai]

Medvedev to expose badly Opelka's kick serve.

 

[ForehandCross]

Very very fast 2 games.

 

[James P]

Looks like Daniil is starting to put his foot down on the gas. 12 straight points

 

[TennisFan3]

Seriously why doesn't Medvedev ALWAYS play like this on clay?

 

[Terenigma]

Seriously why doesn't Medvedev ALWAYS play like this on clay?

His ranking is on the line. What better way to get some free points towards your ranking than do well at an event you typically suck at.

 

[dapchai]

Opelka has no ROS.

 

[Kralingen]

Opelka has a high pilosity beard. Does he use minoxidil?

Opelka's entire family is from Minnesota I think. A beard like that can only be formed in the frozen snow year after year. Plus his uncle is a conservative shock jock radio host, which gives him the added generational advantage of wearing cargo shorts and yelling at your wife in public. These are elite beard gentics

 

[ForehandCross]

Crazy dropper!!!

 

[TennisFan3]

Excellent job by the Mad Lad. Wins set 1: 6-4.

 

[ForehandCross]

Medvedev into the 4th round of Roland Garros! :

I like the sound of that.

 

[James P]

First set Medvedev. 6-4

 

[TennisFan3]

Medvedev into the 4th round of Roland Garros! :

How far do you think he can go?

 

[dapchai]

Opelka's entire family is from Minnesota I think. A beard like that can only be formed in the frozen snow year after year. Plus his uncle is a conservative shock jock radio host, which gives him the added generational advantage of wearing cargo shorts and yelling at your wife in public. These are elite beard gentics

LOL at "yelling at your wife in public." Very figurative.

 

[ForehandCross]

Garin decimating Giron( I am sorry their names sound something straight from DBZ)


He can be a very very tough test for Medvedev

 

[dapchai]

Opelka missed an easy net point and losing his calm now.

 

[ForehandCross]

How far do you think he can go?

Garin is difficult. Tsitsipas can be mentally broken slowly. But Garin is going to be tough really tough.

 

[dapchai]

That pass from Meddy.

 

[TennisFan3]

Garin is difficult. Tsitsipas can be mentally broken slowly. But Garin is going to be tough really tough.

Really Garin of all players? I mean does Garin really have the firepower to blow Medvedev off? I doubt that.
I think the Mad lad causes problems for Titspas in the QF. That will be a super interesting match.

 

[ForehandCross]

Crazy pass! Why doesn't Medvedev play like this on mud always?

Has Mudvedev finally arrived

 

[ForehandCross]

Really Garin of all players? I mean does Garin really have the firepower to blow Medvedev off? I doubt that.
I think the Mad lad causes problems for Titspas in the QF. That will be a super interesting match.

Umm he beat him in Madrid

 

[James P]

I'm hoping for a boring blowout now. I know it's not entertaining, but my boy is going to have to get through a bonifide clay courter next round, needs to conserve energy.

 

[Sudacafan]

Opelka's entire family is from Minnesota I think. A beard like that can only be formed in the frozen snow year after year. Plus his uncle is a conservative shock jock radio host, which gives him the added generational advantage of wearing cargo shorts and yelling at your wife in public. These are elite beard gentics

Thanks for the detailed analysis.
I did not know that there were that many factors involved in a healthy beard growth.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Opelka is playing like a complete mug right now.