It’s no secret that, lately, Daniil Medvedev’s career has been somewhat of a rollercoaster.
But his first-round win against Frenchman Hugo Gaston at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday was a push in the right direction.
It was also a far cry from his performance at the same stage in 2025. This time around, Medvedev moved ahead with clinical control against qualifier Gaston to prevail 6-4 6-2 6-4, keeping things as drama-free as possible.
"I'm happy that today I managed to produce a high level of tennis,” he said. “I felt like I did everything I wanted to do well. I finished the match strong. I started the match strong. I'm really glad the way I played."
Last year told a different story. In what can only be described as a chaotic setting, Medvedev battled Benjamin Bonzi in the opening round of the main draw. That match made headlines; one mistimed move by the cameraman, who walked out onto the court while the match was still in play, sparked crowd mayhem – encouraged by Medvedev – which stalled play for more than six minutes.
What was shaping as a straight-set loss for Medvedev became a five-set epic, yet he still fell to Bonzi, a third consecutive Grand Slam first-round loss which raised a big question mark over his career.
Even as recently as last week’s first-round Winston-Salem loss to wildcard Martin Damm, the top seed joked: “Maybe I should start a career in pickleball … any sport on this planet is better, man, even curling right now.”
Fair play, Medvedev – if we don’t laugh, we cry.
“Last couple of weeks was not easy, but you know how it is,” the 2021 US Open champion said. “Sometimes you lose matches, sometimes you win. The other guy wants to beat you so, it’s not that easy.
“I knew [Gaston was] going to do some drop shots, some underarm serves. So, I just tried to stand my ground, tried to be aggressive … I was just happy I managed to stay strong.”
Previously, the 30-year-old spent 16 weeks as world No.1 in 2022 and has secured 23 titles across his career, including that US Open title five years ago – the jewel in his crown.
Medvedev is no stranger to the business end of the US Open. In addition to his 2021 title, he was also finalist (2019, 2023), semifinalist (2020) and quarterfinalist (2024) at the last Slam on the tennis calendar.
Which is why, when his ranking dipped as low as No.18 in September 2025 following that first-round knockout, Medvedev felt the sting.
After a season of ebbs and flows, this US Open 2026 first-round success offers a spark of hope.
The victory over Gaston elevates him two places in the live rankings to No.6, placing him on the cusp of the top five. The last time Medvedev sat within the world’s top five was Australian Open 2025. Could this be the first whisper of a Medvedev resurgence?
Buoyed by his performance, Medvedev was more positive when asked if he still felt like he wanted to trade in a career in tennis for pickleball. While he can see a future beyond tennis, he’s not counting himself out just yet.
“Unfortunately, tennis takes too much energy and time,” he said. “Let’s say, until I’m 37 and a half, I would be happy to play tennis. And then let’s see what life brings me.”