A fully fit Novak Djokovic is pretty much an MVP when it comes to hard courts and yet somehow, somehow Daniil Medvedev found a way to do the impossible.
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev faced-off yesterday night in what was not just a battle of who ends up on the top in the group Tokyo 1970 of the Nitto ATP Finals, but also a battle of styles, a battle of persistence, and a battle of generations.A battle that has more often than not ended in Novak’s favour. But not this time.
Daniil Medvedev played perhaps the best tennis of his life to dispatch the world number one 6-3,6-3 in straight sets at the O2 arena in London and guarantee himself a spot in the semis.
The mighty Medvedev-
The records favoured Djokovic, who led 4-2 in their previous encounters.
There was little sign of what was to come in a mesmerizing opening to the match as Djokovic edged into a 3-2 lead.
Is Daniil your pick to go all the way?
🇷🇺 @DaniilMedwed has qualified for the semi-finals after defeating Djokovic 6-3, 6-3! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/eFhi48TB8R
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 18, 2020
Brutal. Brilliant. Breathtaking.
Sum up @DaniilMedwed's performance in one word! ⬇️
📹: @TennisTV | #NittoATPFinalspic.twitter.com/68PwF3mFX4
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 18, 2020
But the 24-year-old Medvedev, his flat groundstrokes scorching through the court, found a gear that even indoor master Djokovic could not locate.
Also read: ATP Finals 2020:Djokovic outclasses Schwartzman, Medvedev crushes Zverev
The No. 4 won the next seven games going up 3-0 in the second set before allowing Djokovic his first points. After that, it was just a matter of holding on to his serve, and Medvedev did not falter. He is now vying to become the fourth player in history, after Djokovic, Michael Stich, Stefan Edberg to clinch the Finals title after a 0-3 debut.
“Credits to Medvedev” says Novak
“Of course I’m really happy to have beaten him today. I served well and played safe enough in the most important moments of the match, and I think that’s why I got the win today.” remarked an obviously exalted Medvedev.
🎾 Medvedev wins the group
🎾 Schwartzman is eliminated from contention
🎾 The winner of Djokovic v Zverev will advance to the semi-finals.#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/vg6TC6aPO8— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 18, 2020
The match also marks one of the first times that Novak Djokovic, the fittest of the players on the tour, showed signs of age. Medvedev did to Novak, what Novak himself has done to countless other opponents and Federer in particular.
The grind and the relentlessness offered by his 24-year-old opponent was too much for a 33-year-old Djokovic.
“I just had a pretty bad seven games in a row, In no time it was 6-3, 3-0. He was just better, no question about it. I struggled to find the right rhythm for 15 minutes or so. I could have and should have done better, but credit to him for playing on a high level.” conceded the Serbian legend.
On the other hand, Alexander Zverev defeated Schwartzman 6-3,4-6,6-3 to spice things up in Group Tokyo 1970.
This also makes the next encounter between Zverev and Djokovic a virtual knockout game.
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Also read:
ATP Finals 2020:Djokovic outclasses Schwartzman,Medvedev crushes Zverev
