Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild produced a remarkable upset at Roland Garros on Tuesday by defeating World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set battle. Despite making his debut in Paris, Seyboth Wild displayed nerves of steel on Court Philippe Chatrier, delivering powerful shots throughout the four-hour and 15-minute clash to upset the second seed with a score of 7-6(5), 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Dream Come True for Seyboth Wild
Expressing his joy, Seyboth Wild exclaimed, “I have watched Daniil play throughout my junior career, and today, playing against him on this court and emerging victorious is a dream come true.” The 172nd-ranked player executed his game plan flawlessly, seeking to approach the net frequently and utilizing his dominant forehand against Medvedev’s strategies. His tactics paid dividends as he unleashed an impressive 69 winners and rebounded strongly after missing two set points in the second-set tie-break.
Seyboth Wild, who has already claimed two ATP Challenger Tour titles this year, entered the tournament for the first time at the tour level this season. Riding high on his triumph over Medvedev, the 23-year-old is eager to build on his success as he prepares to face either Quentin Halys or Guido Pella in the second round. Reflecting on his victory, he shared, “It was a tough match, and I even experienced cramps in the second set. But I gave it my all, played my best tennis, and I’m extremely pleased with my performance.”
Medvedev’s Hopes Dashed
Arriving in Paris as the reigning champion of the clay-court event in Rome, Daniil Medvedev sought a smooth start to his campaign at Roland Garros. However, Seyboth Wild had different plans. The Brazilian showcased unwavering focus from the onset, overpowering Medvedev with his relentless baseline power and displaying fearlessness in his shot-making. The 23-year-old exhibited exceptional composure, winning an impressive 69% of net points and maintaining his nerve in the tense deciding set. Clinching the match with a blistering forehand winner, Seyboth Wild savored the moment while being applauded by the captivated crowd.
In a parallel match, two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Alexander Zverev overcame a spirited challenge from Lloyd Harris of South Africa, emerging victorious with a score of 7-6(6), 7-6(0), 6-1. Zverev initially struggled to find his rhythm as Harris pushed him with consistent play. However, the 26-year-old German exhibited resilience, saving two set points in the second set. Eventually, Zverev regained control in the third set, securing victory after two hours and 40 minutes. His next opponent will be Alex Molcan, following the Slovakian’s win over French wild card Hugo Gaston.
