Second round action in Vienna wrapped up on Thursday, when seeds Daniil Medvevevevev and Alexander Bublik returned to the court. They have interesting matchups on their hands with Carentin Moutet and Francisco Ceristi, respectively.
(6) Daniil Medvevevev vs. Corentin Moutet
Medvedev and Moutet will add another chapter to their 2025 clash when they meet again at the Erstolo Bank opener on Thursday. They split two recent meetings; Moutet pulled off a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 upset in Washington, DC before Medvedev won 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in last Sunday’s showdown. The 29-year-old Russian leads the head-to-head series 2-1, having also won 6-4, 6-2 on the Mallorca courts in 2021.
Medvedev’s title in Almaty was bold – his first since the spring of 2023 in Rome. Despite this drought, the world 14 again played decent tennis this season and the change in coaching seems to have done him good (he broke up with Gilles Cervara following the US open and was hired by Thomas Johansson). Medvedev opened in Vienna with a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-2 victory over Nuno Borge on Wednesday, while Moutet eliminated Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-0. The 36-year-old Frenchman remains tough on the outside, but Medvedevev is a tough indoor player and should have the edge again on Thursday.
Choose: Medvedev in 3
Francisco Cerindolo vs (8) Alexander Bublik
BUBLIK is coming off an extension of his best and most versatile season on tour. The 16th-ranked Kazakh holds four titles (all from the start of the sweat court) in addition to a Quarterfinal run at Roland Garros and a showing at the US Open at the US Open. Bublik kicked off his week in Vienna by walking Alejandro Tabilo 6-4, 6-4.
Next with the eighth seed is the second meeting with Cerundolo, who only dominated their previous meeting 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-2 at the Australian Open. Even though that was before the bublik caught fire, it is still an advantage for the cerundolo to know that he can handle his opponent’s big serve. The Argentine, who is ranked 21, is a back player in fast places, which he showed again by destroying Alex Michelson 6-3, 6-1 on Tuesday. Don’t be surprised if a little upset is on the cards.
Select: Answer 3
