Medvedev advances to Italian Open third round via Machac walkover
Synopsis
Medvedev caught a break at the Italian Open when Machac's illness handed him a walkover into the third round — a gift in a clay season that has otherwise been a grind. But the draw ahead is unforgiving: Sinner looms in the semis, and form-wise, Medvedev remains a question mark on the surface despite his 2023 title.
Key Takeaways
Daniil Medvedev advanced to the Italian Open third round via walkover after Tomas Machac withdrew due to illness on Saturday.
Machac, ranked world No.
53 , was scheduled to face Medvedev in a headline second-round match at the Foro Italico .
Medvedev , the 2023 Rome champion , will face the winner of Moutet vs.
Llamas Ruiz in round three.
The withdrawal forced schedule changes: Rublev vs.
Kecmanovic moved to Centre Court; Garin vs.
Davidovich Fokina rescheduled to 2:00 PM .
Medvedev faces a tough draw, with Jannik Sinner (world No.
1 ) projected as a semi-final opponent.
Daniil Medvedev progressed to the third round of the Italian Open on Saturday without stepping onto court after Czech player Tomas Machac, ranked world No. 53, withdrew due to illness. The ATP confirmed the withdrawal ahead of play at the Foro Italico in Rome, handing the 2023 Rome champion a direct entry into the next stage.
Machac's late withdrawal forced tournament organisers to shuffle Saturday's schedule. Andrey Rublev's match against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic was relocated to Centre Court, while the clash between France's Corentin Moutet and Spain's Pablo Llamas Ruiz — the winner of which will face Medvedev — was moved to the Supertennis Arena. Play on Court 1 was rescheduled to begin at midday, with Christian Garin versus Alejandro Davidovich Fokina set for no earlier than 2:00 PM local time.
A timely reprieve in a stuttering clay campaign
The walkover arrives at a critical juncture for Medvedev, whose clay-court form has been inconsistent. The former world No. 1 suffered a shock first-round exit at the Monte-Carlo Masters following a one-sided loss to Matteo Berrettini. He showed marginal improvement at Madrid Open 2026, winning two matches before falling to home favourite Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round.
Rome history and recent setbacks
While Medvedev claimed the Rome title in 2023, his record since has been disappointing. He has endured back-to-back fourth-round exits — losing to Tommy Paul in 2024 and Lorenzo Musetti in 2025 — suggesting the surface remains a vulnerability despite his earlier success.
A treacherous path ahead
The draw offers little respite. Medvedev is projected to encounter world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, with dangerous opponents such as Felix Auger-Aliassime and rising Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca also positioned in his section. In Sinner's quarter, young stars Jakub Mensik, Arthur Fils, and Ben Shelton are among those seeking to disrupt the tournament's trajectory. Should Medvedev reach the final, second seed Alexander Zverev is considered the most probable finalist from the opposite half.
Point of View
Plus a first-round collapse at Monte-Carlo, suggest the surface is still a liability. A Sinner collision in the semis — if he gets there — would test whether this reprieve translates into real momentum or merely delays the inevitable.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tomas Machac withdraw from the Italian Open?
Tomas Machac withdrew due to illness, confirmed by the ATP ahead of Saturday's play. The Czech player, ranked world No. 53, was scheduled to face Medvedev in a headline second-round match at the Foro Italico in Rome.
What does the walkover mean for Medvedev's campaign?
The walkover advances Medvedev directly into the third round without playing, where he will face the winner of the Moutet-Llamas Ruiz match. It provides a rest day in an otherwise demanding tournament draw.
How has Medvedev performed on clay this season?
Medvedev's clay-court form has been inconsistent. He suffered a shock first-round exit at Monte-Carlo, won two matches at Madrid before losing in the fourth round to Flavio Cobolli, and has back-to-back fourth-round exits at Rome since his 2023 title win.
Who is Medvedev likely to face in the semi-finals?
Medvedev is projected to meet world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. His quarter also contains dangerous players such as Felix Auger-Aliassime and rising Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca.
