Medvedev Sweeps Gorzny Aside to Reach US Open Third Round

Daniil Medvedev moved into the third round of the US Open with a 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 victory over American wild card Sebastian Gorzny at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Wednesday. The seventh seed controlled most of the two-hour, six-minute contest, allowing a brief and unusual interruption involving two birds to become the afternoon's most memorable complication.

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What happened

Medvedev established control immediately, taking the opening set 6-1 before extending his advantage with a 6-3 second set. Gorzny offered stronger resistance in the third, but the 2021 champion secured the decisive break late in the set and closed out the match in straight sets. BBC Sport and Reuters reported that two birds landed on the net during a rally, prompting the chair umpire to order the point replayed. Medvedev objected to how long the call took, then quickly recovered his focus.

The result ended Gorzny's notable run after the 22-year-old American recorded his first Grand Slam match win in the opening round. The recent University of Texas graduate had saved five match points in a five-set victory over Raphael Collignon, but Medvedev's depth, consistency and court coverage presented a much more sustained test. Gorzny pushed the former champion hardest in the final set before Medvedev converted his late opportunity.

Why it matters

For Medvedev, the efficient victory represents another step away from the frustration of his first-round exit in New York a year ago. He has now advanced through two rounds without dropping a set, having also beaten Hugo Gaston in straight sets in his opener. That economy matters during a two-week major, particularly at a tournament where weather delays can compress schedules and place extra demands on players later in the draw.

The Russian's record at Flushing Meadows makes him a significant threat whenever he settles into the tournament. He won the title in 2021, denying Novak Djokovic a calendar-year Grand Slam, and also reached the final in 2019 and 2023. His return game and ability to absorb pace remain especially effective on New York's hard courts, while Wednesday's performance showed he could manage both an improving opponent and an unexpected distraction without extending the match.

Tournament impact

Medvedev advances to face French 26th seed Arthur Rinderknech in the third round. That matchup should offer a different challenge: Rinderknech can lean on a powerful first serve and look to shorten points, while Medvedev typically prefers long exchanges and deep return positions. Medvedev's ability to neutralize the serve and protect his own service games will shape whether he can maintain his straight-sets progress.

Gorzny leaves the tournament with valuable experience and a breakthrough victory on his Grand Slam debut. His opening-round escape demonstrated resilience, while the tighter third set against a former champion offered evidence that he could adjust after being outplayed early. For Medvedev, however, the larger story is momentum. He handled the favorite's role cleanly, avoided a draining battle and kept his bid for a second US Open crown firmly on course.