Medvedev’s Mid-Match Revitalization: Fresh Threads!
Seventh seed battles past Marozsan in Madrid opener; Tsitsipas triumphs over Bublik.
April 25, 2026
David Ramos/Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev secures a hard-fought three-set win against Fabian Marozsan at the Madrid Open.
By Andy West
For Daniil Medvedev, a fresh outfit signifies more than just a style swap.
The former world No. 1 showcased his resilience with a 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4 victory against Fabian Marozsan during the opening round of the Mutua Madrid Open. After an impressive start, he faced a tense battle in the deciding set, but he attributed his mental reset to a crucial wardrobe change. Following a slip from a 4-2 lead in the second set, Medvedev explained how a clean kit helped him regain focus.
“It might sound like a superstition, but here’s my strategy,” Medvedev shared, gesturing to his damp shirt. “This shirt is wet—just a bit, not completely soaked. When I swap it for something fresh, along with my shorts, socks, and sometimes even shoes, it only takes about three and a half minutes, but it helps me move on from what just happened.”
Whatever method he employed this time was effective. Medvedev secured a pivotal break in the 10th game of the third set to clinch his victory against Marozsan, marking his 20th win of the season. It was a strong rebound after facing a stunning loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
“Overall, I played well, aside from a few points,” Medvedev reflected. “On clay, it’s generally easier to make a comeback after dropping a set and facing a break. He played much better later on, reducing his errors and varying his rhythm.”
“I’m glad I hung in there; by the third set, I felt I was in a stronger position, and ultimately, I triumphed, so that’s a great feeling.”
and breathe 🥵@DaniilMedwed kicks off the campaign with a gritty win over Marozsan 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4! @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/0wAp62R8Jl
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 25, 2026
Medvedev dominated with 79% (50/63) of points won behind his first serve, as per Infosys ATP Stats. His next challenge in Madrid will be a first-time clash with Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the #NextGenATP Norwegian who made waves by defeating 31st seed Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-1.
In other results, Stefanos Tsitsipas took down eighth seed Alexander Bublik 6-2, 7-5, marking his fourth victory over a Top 20 player this season and his first triumph on clay since the 2024 Paris Olympics. Last season, Tsitsipas faced difficulties against Top 20 competitors, finishing 0-5.
The Greek star dropped only two points on his first serve (33/35) and faced no break points, improving his record to 3-0 against Bublik in their head-to-head encounters. Tsitsipas, who reached the Madrid final in 2019, will now face Spanish qualifier Daniel Merida, who advanced by overcoming 26th seed Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-4.
