Daniil Medvedev beat Cameron Norrie in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, at the China Open.
This win is a step in the right direction for Medvedev, who's had a tough season.
What happened?
Medvedev made a strong debut at the China Open, brushing past Britain's No. 2 Cameron Norrie.
He served pretty well, except a couple of games, and had a lot of break point opportunities.
Why it matters for Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev has been open about his struggles with emotions on the court, admitting that tennis can make him crazy.
He recalled fans telling him they're calm in life but get crazy when playing tennis.
Medvedev's complicated season includes a US Open exit and a change in his team, with Rohan Goetzke and Thomas Johansson stepping in for his longtime coach, Gilles Cervara.
What comes next?
Medvedev sounds hopeful after his win, but time will tell if the changes pay off.
He hasn't lifted a trophy since Rome 2023 and made the final in Halle this season.
Medvedev's win against Norrie is a positive start, and he'll look to build on this momentum.
And Medvedev's emotions on the court are still a work in progress, as he admitted that he sometimes acts a bit crazy.
But Medvedev's passion drives every point, and he's known for his crafty tactics and fierce rants.
So Medvedev will continue to work on mastering his shots and his emotions.
Medvedev's former coach, Gilles Cervara, had been with him since 2017, and trainer Eric Hernandez parted ways after the US Open exit.
Medvedev's second daughter was born in January, which can add weight to his shoulders.
He did make the final in Halle this season, but titles have slipped out of reach.
Medvedev opened his Beijing Open campaign with a bang, and he'll look to keep the momentum going.