‘Goodbye Novak’ Daniil Medvedev can become World No. 1 at end of February!
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Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev
World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev has long been in the wings waiting to become the new World No. 1. The Russian has already played in the 4 Grand Slam finals and has won the 2021 US Open to become the first player from the dubbed ‘Next gen’ to win a Grand Slam title and just the 4th player other than the quartet of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to win a major in the last decade.
Medvedev had to overcome the obstacle of the in-form Djokovic who was coming into the 2021 US Open finals having won all 3 of the previous Slams and looking to become just the second man in the Open Era to win all 4 majors in a single calendar year. Medvedev however won the finals in straight-sets to win his first Grand Slam title and end Djokovic’s illustrious 2021 Grand Slam season with a 27-1 record.
Ever since his win at the US Open, Medvedev has closed the gap to replace Djokovic from the top of the ATP rankings, a position he has made his own since February 2020. Medvedev was ranked 5th when Djokovic ascended to the top of the rankings and has rapidly risen and cemented his place as the World No. 2 since May 2021.
The wait however can be over for the Russian at the end of the month. With Djokovic set to play at the ATP-500 Dubai Championships, Medvedev will be heading to Mexico for the ATP-500 Acapulco Open in Mexico. With equal points to offer, Djokovic’s absence from the Tour will see him drop further points and if Medvedev manages to win the title in Mexico, he will be the new World No. 1 pipping his friend Djokovic.
Scenarios for Daniil Medvedev to overtake Novak Djokovic in the ATP Rankings
While the clear scenario for Medvedev to become the World No. 1 is to win the title in Mexico and irrespective of what Djokovic does in Dubai, the win for Medvedev will make him the new World No. 1. In case the Russian does not win the title, he still has quite a few other situations that will see him replace Djokovic.
- Medvedev reaches the finals while Djokovic does not win the title
- Medvedev reaches the semis and Djokovic does not reach the final
- Medvedev reaches the quarter-finals and Djokovic does not reach the semi-finals
- Medvedev reaches the second round and Djokovic does not reach the semi-finals
- Medvedev loses in the first round and Djokovic does not reach the Dubai quarter-finals
With a golden chance to replace the 20-time Grand Slam champion from the top of the rankings, Medvedev can be expected to come with all guns blazing and claim the top spot along with the trophy.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)