Wild shock for Medvedev, Djokovic accused of fanning political flames
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[May 31, 2023]
By Shrivathsa Sridhar
PARIS (Reuters) -Daniil Medvedev became the highest-ranked player to
exit the French Open after losing a marathon encounter against
Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild on a windy Tuesday, while
Novak Djokovic found himself at the centre of a political storm.
Iga Swiatek gave herself an early birthday gift a day before turning
22 by dismissing Cristina Bucsa 6-4 6-0 as world number seven Ons
Jabeur beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-4 6-1 and 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva
earned her first Grand Slam main draw win.
World number two Medvedev emerged as a surprise contender for the
Paris title following his Rome triumph but the Russian blew his
chance in gusty conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier as Wild sealed
a 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-4 victory.
"I watched Daniil play since I was junior and beating him on such a
court is a dream come true," world number 172 Wild said after the
gruelling clash that lasted more than four hours.
Medvedev later said he had no regrets about his claycourt season
ending prematurely.
"Today because of the wind and the dry court, I had my mouth full of
clay since probably the third game and I don't like it," Medvedev
said.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/May/31/images/ads/current/chittick_sda_PROMGRAD_2023.png)
"I don't know if people like to eat clay, to have clay in their
bags, their shoes, white socks, you can throw them to the garbage
after the clay season. Maybe some people like it. I don't."
Kosovo's tennis federation said Djokovic risked aggravating an
already tense situation after the world number three wrote on a
camera lens that Kosovo was "the heart of Serbia" following his
first-round win a day earlier.
Some 30 NATO peacekeeping soldiers were injured on Monday in clashes
with Serbian protesters in the northern Kosovo town of Zvecan, where
Djokovic's father grew up.
"The comments made by Djokovic at the end of his match against
Aleksandar Kovacevic, his statements at the post-match conference
and his Instagram post are regrettable," Kosovo tennis federation
chief Jeton Hadergjonaj said.
"Despite a general message against violence, the statement 'Kosovo
is the heart of Serbia' and further statements after the match made
by such a public figure... directly result in raising the level of
tension between the two states, Serbia and Kosovo."
The French Tennis Federation, which organises the Roland Garros
tournament, said in a statement: "The same rules apply to all four
Grand Slams. The tournament referee and Grand Slam Supervisors
ensure that these rules are complied with.
"Messages are passed on to the teams of any players concerned by
such matters."
A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the
organisers did not see 22-times major champion Djokovic's action as
"detrimental to the best interests of the tournament", as per the
Grand Slam rulebook.
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![](../images/053123PIX/sports75.jpg)
May 30, 2023; Paris, France; Daniil
Medvedev returns a shot during a match against Thiago Seyboth Wild
(BRA) on day three at Stade Roland-Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan
Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
Last year's runner-up Casper Ruud advanced to the next round by
thumping Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer 6-4 6-3 6-2 and he was joined
by sixth seed Holger Rune who dug deep to get past Christopher
Eubanks 6-4 3-6 7-6(2) 6-2.
Alexander Zverev exited Roland Garros in agony last year after
rolling his ankle during his semi-final against Rafa Nadal but the
German celebrated a winning return by beating Lloyd Harris 7-6(6)
7-6(0) 6-1.
Veteran Gael Monfils lit up Court Philippe Chatrier in the night
session with a scintillating performance as the 36-year-old
Frenchman dug deep to battle past Argentine Sebastian Baez 3-6 6-3
7-5 1-6 7-5.
TEENAGE SENSATION
Andreeva announced herself to the world when she stunned 2021 U.S.
Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-4 in Madrid last month and
also defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia and Magda Linette before falling
to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The Russian qualifier broke new ground at the majors with a 6-2 6-1
win over former world number 18 Alison Riske-Amritraj.
"Last year I was here as a junior and couldn't imagine I can be here
playing the women's tournament, being in a major passing
qualification," said Andreeva, who will next meet Diane Parry after
the French wild card beat Rome runner-up Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-3.
"I'm pretty excited about it," added Andreeva, who also hopes to
practise with Jabeur in Paris.
"I just try to enjoy every moment here."
Brenda Fruhvirtova, another 16-year-old seeking a statement win,
crashed out following a 6-4 6-2 defeat by Elena Rybakina as the
Wimbledon champion continued her quest for a second Grand Slam
title.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/May/31/images/ads/current/siu_sda_PROMGARD_2023.png)
American sixth seed Coco Gauff also shook off a slow start to seal a
3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Spain's Rebeka Masarova but it was bad news
for former world number one Victoria Azarenka who was dumped out by
Canada's Bianca Andreescu 2-6 6-3 6-4.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar, Julien Pretot and Karolos Grohmann
in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris, Christian Radnedge and Toby Davis)
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