Miomir Kecmanovic vs Daniil Medvedev Prediction: Expecting a Long Match and Daniil's Victory

In the third round of Roland Garros, Daniil Medvedev's opponent will be world number 31, Miomir Kecmanovic, a tennis player from Serbia. The guys have not met before, and bookmakers have given Daniil the status of the favorite. However, we can't say, judging by the line, that the second racket in the world will win.

Kecmanovic started the clay season in Belgrade in the second half of April. At home, Miomir made it to the quarterfinals, losing to Djokovic in a three-set match. The Serb played a good tournament in Munich, where he reached the semifinals but van der Zandschulp knocked him out. In May the Balkan lost in Madrid to Nadal in the second round. In Rome he failed already in the first game to Schwartzman. In Paris he won twice: 3-0 over the Argentine Etcheverry and 3-1 over Kazakhstan's Bublik. The match against the latter lasted two hours and 16 minutes, Alexander won the first set 6-4, but gradually the Serb seized the initiative and took three consecutive games 7-5, 6-2, 6-1. Overall, the Balkan fired four times and made two double mistakes, winning 65% of his first serve points and 54% of his second.

I don't think it's going to be an easy match. Daniil shows good tennis, but, of course, the ground is not his favorite surface. He doesn't feel very comfortable here, so, of course, it's better to play with him on the ground than anywhere else. I'll do my best. We'll see what happens next.

Kecmanovic before match with Medvedev

To be honest, the victory over Bagnis was a revelation. After 0-2 from Gasquet in Geneva, it seemed that Daniil would have problems in Paris in the first round. Instead Medvedev not only beat the Argentinean but also outplayed his compatriot, Miomir, in three sets to take on the clay player Djere. It is true that the clay is a uncomfortable surface for the world number two. However, there were clay tournaments, where Medvedev performed very well. It is quite possible that the current Roland Garros is one of them.

Today I think Laslo was playing better clay-court tennis, but I managed to fight and put one more ball in the court. I am happy to win.” Medvedev felt it was tough to play against an opponent who was struggling with his own fitness levels. It is difficult. When I saw Djere was struggling, I was like ‘make him play a little bit more, one more ball. I don’t know if it was cramps or injury, so I tried to make him play more balls. He was then taking the ball early and either he made a mistake or a winner. I was not confident, it was one break, it is clay courts. And if he breaks back, the pain can go away. I just tried to focus and play every point and finally it worked.

Medvedev after beating Djere

Medvedev and Kecmanovic have not yet encountered each other, which we think is a plus for the Serb. However, Medvedev is in better shape in Paris than we expected, and frankly, we doubt that Kecmanovic can win the upcoming meeting. True, it's obvious that Daniil will have to fight harder against Kecmanovic than against Bagnis and Djere, but we are waiting for the World No. 2 in the fourth round of the French Slam tournament.

• TelecomAsia Sport is looking for Australian Football League tipsters. Contact jobs@telecomasia.net for more information.