👋 Welcome back to The Daily Theory, our morning rundown to help you stay on top of your favorite sport. I’m Allen McDuffee, your guide to all things tennis.

On tap today: Daniil Medvedev scrapes through against Karen Khachanov, Gael Monfils is sad about the clay season these days, Matteo Berrettini takes on Alexander Zverev, plus more in today’s tennis news.

Let’s tennis!

Three Points

🎾 Yesterday’s Watch This!: Did we call it or what?!? When we said Daniil Medvedev vs. Karen Khachanov would be a battle, we didn’t quite predict the see-saw match that ensued. But that’s what we got with a match that included 17 breaks of serve. Medvedev prevailed 7-5 4-6 6-4, but not without a cost. The grueling match that lasted just under three hours ended with Medvedev hobbling to the net from cramps to shake Khachanov’s hand and requesting treatment before leaving the court.

  • What he said: “It’s the first match on clay — it’s not my favorite surface,” said Medvedev. “I don’t think Karen hit one ace and he’s a big server. So, it was pretty slow, but I’m happy with my level in general and looking forward.”

🎾 Back in his day: People have made much of Gael Monfils’s age lately. But one advantage of longevity on the tour is institutional history, even if that turns up some negative comparisons. For one, the clay season is nowhere near as enjoyable as it used to be, according to Le Monf thanks to climate change.

  • What he said: “The weather is worse and worse. Well, this is what I’m saying, because maybe summer arrives a lot later now. But honestly, it’s not only here. The whole period on clay has changed,” he said on Monday. “I remember when the weather was really hot during those tournaments, and now we arrive here, the weather is bad. And the French Open, it’s been a long time we didn’t have two beautiful weeks. Every time, now I have the feeling it’s cold in the French Open. I remember in Monte Carlo, so it was cold, it’s been a long time. I haven’t played here in Monte Carlo in the old way, with the beautiful weather.”

🎾 A reminder: Former number 12 player in the world Borna Coric has been regaining his mojo on the ATP Challenger Tour. And one thing he’s noticed is the ferocity of competition at that level.

  • What he said: “I really think sometimes it’s actually tougher to play the Challengers than the ATP Tour because the guys are more hungry. Most of the guys are much younger and they are very hungry. They’ve never been on the tour. They need to earn the money,” he said. “It’s not easy, but I was honestly enjoying my time as well. It brought me back to when I was 17 and playing Challengers. Back to the roots. I just had that mindset that obviously I need to win matches, I need to play more matches, and that’s what’s going to get me back in the form. That’s what I did.”