Daniil Medgeonev kicked off his US Open crown defense on Monday with a straight-set win over low-ranked American Stefan Kozlov.
World number one Medvedev, becoming the first man to successfully defend the US Open since Roger Federer in 2008, reached the second round with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory in 2 hours and 1 minute.
The win was sweet for Medvedev, who revealed he had often struggled to beat Kozlov when the two were playing at junior level.
“He was almost invincible,” said the Russian, citing an encounter in which his opponent “destroyed me.”
“I’m happy to take revenge today,” Medvedev added.
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Kozlov, ranked 111 in the world, scored an early goal in the first set to keep contact 2-2 in the warm and humid conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
However, Medvedev returned immediately and broke again to take a 3-2 lead, then soon became 5-2 with a break followed in the seventh game.
The Russian held the first set and took control of the competition in the second round, taking a 5-4 lead and finishing on serve.
The 26-year-old scored three consecutive breaks to lead 5-0 in the third inning and then held the victory.
Medvedev vs Arthur Rinderknech of France in the second round.
