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Daniil Medvedev is building momentum at Flushing Meadows after a commanding start to his US Open 2026 campaign, with the 2021 champion eyeing another deep run at the season’s final Grand Slam. Fresh off back-to-back straight-sets wins, the former World No. 1 believes the men’s draw is beginning to open up, making the race for the title increasingly unpredictable.
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The seventh seed followed up his opening-round win over Hugo Gaston with a 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 victory against Sebastian Gorzny on Wednesday to book his place in the third round. The Russian star will look to continue his strong run in New York as the third round of the US Open gets underway on Friday.
Exclusive: Medvedev eyes another US Open title run as former champion says men’s draw is ‘open’
With questions surrounding some of the tournament’s biggest contenders, Medvedev believes there is plenty to play for in New York. In an exclusive interview shared with Sports Tak by JioStar, Medvedev said:
“If you look at the big picture, the draw is open.”
Medvedev added:
“You never know how Carlos [Alcaraz] is going to feel. Of course, we know when he’s on top of his game, he’s on top of a lot of people. But we don’t know how he’s going to feel now, so it’s going to be an interesting one.”
While the outside conversation has focused on the opportunities presented by an open draw, Medvedev insisted the mood inside the locker room is far more straightforward. Medvedev further said:
“I’ll be honest, I don’t think in the locker room anyone really thinks about it. Some of the other guys are just trying to win some matches.”
For Medvedev, though, there may be no better place to build momentum than New York. His relationship with the US Open crowd has produced some of the most memorable moments of his career, evolving from the dramatic exchanges of his early appearances to a bond that now gives him energy on court.
“I’ve had my moments, but I enjoy it a lot now,” Medvedev said. “I’m really looking forward to the crowd at the US Open.”
“Yeah, a lot of energy and a lot of fun. I think sometimes the relationships that are the best ones are the ones that maybe start a bit on not exactly a rough note, but a bit of an up and downs. And now, in terms of the crowd, probably my favorite city to play in.”
That connection, combined with his strong start to the tournament, could prove crucial as Medvedev looks to navigate the business end of the draw. He said the pull of New York extends beyond the courts, with the energy of Arthur Ashe Stadium and the city itself making the US Open one of the standout events of the season. He said:
“I think more the city itself, the energy of the stadiums. Once you go to Manhattan, to some of the restaurants you like. All the memories come back.”
Medvedev may not consider the US Open the end of the season, with major tournaments still to come, but the season’s final Grand Slam represents a crucial opportunity to finish the Slam campaign on a high.
Having already tasted Grand Slam glory in New York, Medvedev knows what it takes to go all the way at Flushing Meadows. The former champion will now look to translate his early form into another serious title challenge.
Medvedev is all set to face Arthur Rinderknech in the Round of 32 of the last Grand Slam of the year in New York. Catch all the action of the US Open 2026 live on JioHotstar and Star Sports.
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