Who won when Rafael Nadal faced Daniil Medvedev in Roland Garros practice set

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Rafael Nadal continued to step up his preparations for what could be his final Roland Garros campaign.

The Spaniard is searching for a 15th Grand Slam title in Paris and 23rd overall, but he is not heading into the event with his usual form or fitness.

He has played just 11 matches this season after returning from over a year on the sidelines due to injury.

Therefore his intense practice sessions are even more vital ahead of his first Grand Slam appearance since January 2023.

Rafael Nadal practices with World Number Five Daniil Medvedev

On Thursday (May 23) Nadal took to Court Philippe-Chatrier to contest a practice set against one of the world’s top players Daniil Medvedev, which the tennis legend won 6-3.

In one clip posted on social media platform X the 37-year-old moved well around the court as Medvedev targeted his backhand.

Nadal stayed solid in that corner before firing a forehand down the line which the 28-year-old was unable to return.

In another exchange Medvedev upped his aggression and managed to get Nadal on the stretch and following a short forehand reply, he charged to the net to finish with a drive volley.

In a third rally Nadal expertly turned defence into attack after hitting a lob when Medvedev came to the net. He was unable to hit the smash cleanly, when enabled Nadal to strike a backhand winner past his stranded opponent.

How many matches has Rafael Nadal played against Daniil Medvedev?

Nadal and Medvedev have played six matches against one another and though Nadal has won five of them, some of the contests have been very close.

For example, Medvedev came back from a two-set deficit to level the 2019 US Open final, before Nadal prevailed 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 to win his fourth title in New York.

Medvedev’s only victory against the 20008 Olympic came at the 2020 ATP Finals, which he won after losing the first set.

But in 2022, Nadal produced one of the finest tennis comebacks of all time when he defeated Medvedev 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 to win his second Australian Open title and surpass Roger Federer’s tally of 20 majors, which was a record at the time.