Dream final in Melbourne this Sunday (9:30 am) between the Russian, untouchable in recent months, and the Serbian, double defending champion, unbeaten in the final in Melbourne.
Challenges
Driven by his twenty victories in a row since last November, Daniil Medvedev, 25, seems armed to defeat world number 1 Novak Djokovic “at home” in Melbourne, where he is never lost in eight finals. After pushing Rafael Nadal to the fifth set for his first major final, at the 2019 US Open, the Russian dreams of upending the Serbian in his race for records. In the event of a ninth coronation in Melbourne, Djokovic would thus glean an 18th Grand Slam title which would bring him closer to the twenty trophies of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to claim the GOAT title.
Their journey in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic
Not a long quiet river for the King of Melbourne. After an easy entry against Jérémy Chardy slapped three sets, the Serbian has complicated life against Frances Tiafoé. A success snatched in 3:30 (6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3). Sound 3e it was even almost fatal. While leading two sets to zero, against another American Taylor Fritz, the world number one injured his abdominals at the start of the third set. Red alert, then victory at 5e set (7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2) after a disjointed fight of 3:25. Diagnosing a “tear”, Djokovic then left doubt as to his presence on the court against Milos Raonic in 8e final. He quickly reassured his fans. Even if he gave up a set, he dominated the Canadian without trembling for the 12th time in as many games (7-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4). Above all, he reassured himself on the physical level. Led a round to nothing, then broke in the 3rd and 4th sets by Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, the master of the place enforced his status of almost invincible, willy-nilly with a success 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6. Facing the 114th world, Aslan Karatsev, the surprise guest of the square denier, the Serbian does the job in three sets, and above all, he no longer winced.
Daniil Medvedev
Much less fear for the Russian who flew over the competition, except in 3e lap where he trembled, pushed in straight sets by Filip Krajinovic (no 28) 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-0. His only warning of his fortnight and his only blast of lead towards his tricolor coach Gilles Cervara, who will end up leaving his box, the time that his student regains his senses to administer a 6-0 to the Serbian in the final round. Vasek Pospisil, (1is tour), Roberto Carballes Baena (2e tour) and MacKenzie McDonald (8e), however did not exist, all swept in three dry sets. Same price for the very dangerous Andrey Rublev, 7e world in the quarter-finals, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. By his own admission, Medvedev signed his best game of the tournament and sickened his compatriot. Against Stefanos Tsitsipas, 5e worldwide, the Russian machine was once again working at full capacity. And Rafael Nadal striker Stefanos Tsitsipas was dominated by the head and shoulders 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. What to approach his shock against Djokovic with some certainties.
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Face to face
Medvedev assures him. “I like playing against Novak. The first time I played it I was 60th. We have always had difficult matches, mentally and physically. And he’s one of the greatest players in history. ” If Medvedev likes to play against Nole, not sure the reverse is true. In terms of face-to-face, he leads with difficulty 4-3. Their only Grand Slam showdown came in 3e round of the 2019 Australian Open, with a victory hung in four sets (6-4, 6-7 [5], 6-2, 6-3). “It was a big game and he won it. But I didn’t have the level I have now, ”warns Medvedev who has won three of their last four encounters. During the last London Masters, which he won, he notably won 6-3, 6-3 in the group stage.
READ ALSO –Novak Djokovic, still strong and divisive
Some figures before the final
8
Novak Djokovic has already made eight finals in Melbourne and hasn’t lost any. In 2020 against Dominic Thieme in the final, he improved his title record in Australia ahead of Roger Federer and Roy Emerson (6).
18
For his 28e final in a Grand Slam Novak Djokovic is seeking an 18th crown in Major. If successful, the Serbian would come back two lengths from Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (20 titles).
20
Straddling 2020 and 2021, the 25-year-old Russian is on a streak of twenty consecutive victories. Above all, he remains on twelve successes in a row against Top 10 players!
100
The number of aces of Novak Djokovic since the start of the tournament. He leads the standings ahead of Alexander Zverev (86) and Milos Raonic (82).
151
If he wins on Sunday, Daniil Medevev can become the 151st player to win a Grand Slam title in men’s tennis history.
300
Facing Raonic in 8e final, Novak Djokovic won his 300e Grand Slam match (45 defeats). The world Serb is ahead in this ranking Rafael Nadal (284-39), Jimmy Connors (233-49) and Andre Agassi (224-53). Only Roger Federer (362-59) did better.
What they think of each other
Daniil Medvedev : “He obviously has more experience, but also more to lose. He’s never lost in the final here, he’s under all the pressure, he’s chasing Roger and Rafa. I just hope I will show my best tennis, I know I can beat some big names if I play well. I like playing against Novak (note: the Serbian leads 4-3 in their face-to-face). We have always had difficult matches, mentally and physically. ”
Novak Djokovic “Medvedev has a very high level of play and he is on a streak of over 20 games unbeaten. He’s the man to beat. It serves well and it moves very well for its size. Maybe his forehand was weak, but he improved it a lot. He doesn’t give much. And he’s very smart on a court. In the semi-final (against Karatsev) I didn’t feel so good the whole tournament, I played painlessly. It happens at the right time. I’ll be ready for the battle, for the toughest game of the tournament. ”
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