'NOT MY FAVOURITE SURFACE': MEDVEDEV GRIMACES WITH CRAMP IN BRUTAL MONTE CARLO WIN

(Getty/Mateo Villalba)

Agonising cramps weren't enough to derail Daniil Medvedev's mission in his first clay-court run out of the season in Monte Carlo.

The ninth seed faced good friend and fellow Russian Karen Khachanov on Centre Court, the first Masters event on clay for 2025, prevailing 7-5 4-6 6-4 in almost three hours.

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A mind-blowing 17 breaks of serve in 32 games painted the picture of uncertainty, but sudden cramps experienced by Medvedev in the 10th game of the deciding set proved another twist in the tale.

Visibly grappling to walk in between points, Medvedev capitalised on his first match point to escape unscathed to his relief.

"It's the first match on clay; it's not my favourite surface," he confessed to the fans.

"I don't think Karen hit one ace and he's a big server. It was pretty slow, but I'm happy with my level in general and looking forward."

The former US Open champion revealed to the physio after the match that he started to feel pain "two points before the [match ended]".

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