In a gripping second-round showdown at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev showcased his trademark resilience, overcoming a sluggish start to defeat American Reilly Opelka 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 on July 23, 2025, at Washington’s William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center. The two-hour clash, marked by intense rallies and a dramatic momentum shift, saw Medvedev claw his way back from a set down against the big-serving Opelka, reinforcing his reputation as a hard-court maestro. “I’m a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it,” Medvedev might have thought, channeling the grit that carried him to the 2021 US Open title.
Medvedev, returning to the ATP 500 event for the first time since reaching the final in 2019, faced an uphill battle from the outset. Opelka, ranked No. 74 and fresh off a first-round upset over Murphy Cassone, unleashed his monstrous serve, averaging over 15 aces per match this season. The American broke Medvedev’s serve in the opening game with a blistering backhand down the line, setting the tone for a dominant first set. “Opelka meant business and stormed into a 4-0 lead that left heads spinning,” one observer noted, capturing the electric atmosphere in the packed main stadium. Opelka’s powerful serve, landing at 5-3 with a hold at love, wrapped up the opener in just 33 minutes, leaving Medvedev reeling with only eight winners against 10 unforced errors.
The second set saw Medvedev dig deep, his defensive prowess and elite return game coming to the fore. Despite facing a critical break point at 3-3, the Russian held firm, denying Opelka with a clutch service winner. “Medvedev was made to work,” as one fan put it, but his ability to neutralize Opelka’s 16 aces and capitalize on the American’s 51 unforced errors shifted the tide. At 6-5, Medvedev pounced, breaking Opelka to love after the American missed an easy volley on set point—a moment that sparked a roar from the crowd and a visible surge in Medvedev’s confidence. “Medvedev breaks Opelka to love late in the second set and takes it 7-5 to force a third set in DC,” a post on X captured, reflecting the match’s turning point.
The third set was a masterclass in Medvedev’s adaptability. The 29-year-old, seeded No. 8, dominated with two breaks, six aces, and an impressive 87% first-serve points won, cruising to a 6-1 rout. His 56 service points and 37 return points outshone Opelka’s 62 and 20, respectively, while converting 3 of 13 break points proved pivotal. “Solidez en su servicio y seguidilla de quiebres,” one commentator remarked, highlighting Medvedev’s control in the decider. The victory, which improved his head-to-head record against Opelka to 5-2, marked a crucial step in his North American hard-court campaign, a surface where he boasts a 75% career win rate.
Opelka, despite the loss, showcased his serving prowess, which had stunned Medvedev in their last meeting at the Libema Open in June (7-6(5), 7-6(5)). “I’ve never played bad against him,” Opelka said, reflecting on his competitive history with the Russian. His 18-14 record in 2025, bolstered by a Brisbane final in January, underscores his threat on home soil, though his limited baseline movement faltered in extended rallies against Medvedev’s relentless defense.
Medvedev’s triumph, worth $32,005 in prize money, sets up a third-round clash with Yibing Wu, who upset Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. The Russian, who has endured a challenging 2025 with early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, sees Washington as a chance to reclaim his top-10 form. “His game is well-suited to handling powerful servers,” one analyst noted, predicting tough battles ahead against players like Alex de Minaur or Ben Shelton in the draw. As Medvedev eyes a deep run, his comeback against Opelka—a match briefly paused for a spectator’s medical issue—proved he’s ready to fight. “Daniil Medvedev starts his North American hard court swing with a comeback win,” a fan celebrated on X, encapsulating the excitement of a player rediscovering his spark.
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