Daniil Medvedev picked up his first win of the year in Dubai on Wednesday, beating Juncheng Shang to move into the next round.

Medvedev, who had a setback at the Qatar Open where he exited early after complaining to a tournament supervisor, looked sharper this time out.

He came through against Shang with a 6-1, 6-3 win and will now face Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss veteran got past Benjamin Hassan in his own opener.

After defeating Shang in Dubai, Medvedev discussed the ups and downs of life on Tour for a professional tennis player.

Daniil Medvedev highlights the real challenges of life on tour

After his win over Shang, Medvedev was asked what tennis fans might not fully grasp about life as a professional player.

Medvedev replied: “Yeah, that’s a very good question because I think, first of all, it’s very complex, right? In general, let’s say doesn’t matter sportsman or not, tennis player or not, what’s very tough for people, me as well, is to put yourself in somebody’s shoes. That’s very tough.

“Of course what people first see is we’re playing in front of thousands of people. We’re getting good money especially those of course in the top 50 and top 100. And the first thought is like Okay why are they complaining at all? Like they should not.

“It’s the same in every sport.”

He continued: “Then of course what people don’t see it’s not the pressure. Pressure everyone has it. For example if we speak about tennis it’s the toll the travel plus competition brings on you.

“That all is a little bit tough for your body. You don’t feel it like constantly but imagine doing this 40 times a year and we do.

“The time change and of course food change. Food in every country is different every site. All of this would be easy to handle if you wouldn’t have a match to play next day against an opponent that wants to win as much as you do. And if you don’t win you lose and you feel I am bad.”

The world number four then explained how situations such as food poisoning can occur during trips away from home where fans fail to understand how those situations impact players.

He added: “I think that’s what people don’t exactly understand about tennis and that is why sometimes upset happens.“Like you can come somewhere you never going to tell it someone but you got food poisoning which is not that big to retire but big enough to make bad shape.“You’re going lose match everyone going be like What the hell? You are just food poisoning.“I think that’s what tough tennis travel plus willingness win stuff like this.”

Wawrinka gives his thoughts ahead of Medvedev clash

Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam winner, is set to face Medvedev for the sixth time on the ATP Tour.

Speaking to Tennis Temple, Wawrinka said: “Yes, indeed, we’ve played each other a lot. He’s always tough to face, and it’s his last year on tour, so I’m thrilled to be able to play him again.

“He’s a really nice guy, and it will be an interesting match.”

The winner between Wawrinka and Medvedev will go on to face either Karen Khachanov or Jenson Brooksby in the quarter-finals.

In another bold claim ahead of his match with Medvedev, Wawrinka suggested that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are now playing at a level higher than what was seen from the ‘Big Three’ during their prime years.

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