Daniil Medvedev came from a set down to beat Stan Wawrinka at the Rotterdam Open in a thrilling three-set encounter on Monday. 

Medvedev won the title in Rotterdam back in 2023, and was put through his paces against the 2015 champion, eventually winning 6-7 (8-10) 6-4 6-1 in two hours and 27 minutes.

Having overcome Medvedev in their previous two ATP meetings, Wawrinka asserted his dominance in the opening set that featured a 29-shot set point rally that the Swiss won. 

But second seed Medvedev returned from the break a different player, racing to the second set in 46 minutes to take the encounter the distance. 

And it would be the world number seven who reached the next round, outclassing Wawrinka in the third set in which he didn't face a break point against his opponent. 

"When you have some confidence, you win some sets which you should lose. When you don't have the confidence, you lose some sets which you should win," Medvedev said.

"I was like 'I'm not playing bad at the moment', so if I continued to push and play better it could work out, and I am happy that it did. Hopefully, I can play better in the next games.

"He played good, but it's Stan, he always plays good. Of course, he is not at his peak when he was winning grand slams.

"I never played him when he was at this level, and it's a pity because I would love it as a challenge.

"I am pretty sure there would be some matches where he would chop me, and somewhere I would fight. Stan is also an amazing guy."

Victorious Meddy

The No. 2 seed completes the comeback against Wawrinka to move into the second round in Rotterdam @abnamroopen | #abnamroopen | @DaniilMedwed pic.twitter.com/p7F98HhOHF

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 3, 2025

Earlier in the day, sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into the last 16 of the tournament following a straight sets victory over qualifier Harold Mayot. 

Tsitsipas responded to his first round exit to Alex Michelsen at the Australian Open last month in style, emerging a 6-1 7-5 victor in one hour and 23 minutes. 

The world number 12 raced out the blocks inside the Ahoy Arena, striking 15 winners en route to clinching the first set in just under half an hour. 

Yet Mayot tested Tsitsipas' resolve in the second. However, despite squandering six consecutive break points, the Greek's pressure finally told as he served out the match. 

Tsitsipas, who reached the final in Rotterdam back in 2022, will face off against either Matteo Berrettini or home favourite Tallon Griekspoor in the next round.

"My mission was to play my best game and to deliver to the expectations I set before entering the court, and those were pretty high," said Tsitsipas.  

"I'm more than happy that I delivered on those promises. I think my game in the first set looked fantastic. I was immediately attacking whenever a short one was coming my way.

"Getting to play the same type of quality and level of game in the second set, I felt he had answers to those big shots that I was coming up with.

"I felt like him trying to hit the ball more started building a new dynamic in the matchup. I felt like he upgraded his level in the second, but I had to wait and seize the opportunity."

Hubert Hurkacz produced a similarly clinical display in his match, beating Flavio Cobolli 6-3 6-2 to advance to the second round in Rotterdam for the fifth consecutive year. 

Hurkacz won 85% (23/27) of first-serve points and fired seven aces en route to a 77-minute victory, setting up a clash with either Jiri Lehecka or Alexei Popyrin. 

Sharp, confident and focused @steftsitsipas dismisses Mayot 6-1 7-5 to advance in Rotterdam. @abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/Um0I3IbYv5

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 3, 2025