Medvedev Starts Brisbane Run with Confidence, Launches Fresh Partnership

Medvedev opens Brisbane campaign with a confident win

After seven years since reaching the Brisbane final in the 250-point category, Russian Daniil Medvedev returned to the tournament with a strong first-round win over Márton Fucsovics, 6-2, 6-3, on Monday.

The 29-year-old world No. 1 entered this event as the top seed, showing his class with a comfortable victory; he broke the Hungarian's serve in the third game and never looked back, sealing the affair in 70 minutes.

Medvedev said in comments reported by the ATP Tour: "I played well and I'm happy with my level. I could have served better at times, but I was excellent from the back line. I'm glad to get my first match of the year under my belt."

Seeded 13th this week, who snapped a two-year wait for a title in Almaty last October, now eyes his 22nd career title. He will face American Frances Tiafoe in the next round.

Coach Tomas Johansson watched from the Brisbane stands as the duo began their partnership late in 2025. "Last year was a testing period; we wanted to see if this partnership would work. It has been going great, not only in results but in the relationship on and off the court. We prepared well for the season."

Defending champion Jiří Lehečka started his title defense with victory, defeating fellow Czech Tomáš Macháč 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2. Lehečka saved two break points and will meet Sebastián Korda in the second round.

Korda opened his season with a win over Shanghai champion Valentín Fashiro 7-6, 6-3. Korda has a strong Australian record, having previously reached the Adelaide final twice.

Alex Michelsen booked a second-round clash with close friend Lerner Tin after a tough win over Australian James Duckworth 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.

Reilly Opelka, runner-up last year, overcame Dinh Sweeney 6-3, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Camille Miescherzak who beat Daniel Altmaier 7-6, 6-0.

Finally, Frenchman Quentin Halys defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, and he awaits the winner of Brandon Nakashima and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round.

Punchline 1: If Medvedev keeps serving like this, the ball might start charging rent for being too fast. Punchline 2: He didn’t just break serve—he broke the sound barrier, and the crowd heard it in 70 minutes flat.