Daniil Medvedev expecting Novak Djokovic showdown in the Adelaide Open

The Russian star has the possibility of facing Djokovic at the semifinals of the tournament.

Daniil Medvedev expecting Novak Djokovic showdown in the Adelaide Open

Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic

The prospect of facing Novak Djokovic in a potential semi-final clash of the 2023 Adelaide International has motivated Daniil Medvedev. Ahead of this possibility, the Russian says he enjoys playing against Djokovic and that they enjoy a great rivalry. More interestingly, as per the tennis professional himself, it would be so much better if he could face the Serb in the semis.

Medvedev also added that if Novak Djokovic were not at the semis, it would mean that someone had defeated the fittest tennis player in the world. He paid further tribute to the Serbian by calling him the best player in the world. 

I really like playing against Novak. I think we have a very good rivalry and we have always shown a very good level of tennis in our matches. It motivates me a lot to reach the semi-finals and if he is there, so much the better. If he's not there, it means that someone has managed to beat the fittest tennis player in the world right now.
Medvedev

For context, Medvedev and Novak Djokovic have faced each other twelve times. The World Number 5 has gotten the better of Medvedev eight of those times, including the last three times. The pair last faced off at the Nitto ATP Finals back in November 2022. Djokovic won the closely fought match 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(2). The two have played two Grand Slam finals against each other.

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Djokovic won the 2021 Australian Open against Medvedev as he defeated him in straight sets to secure his 9th win at the Rod Laver Arena. Medvedev got his revenge at the 2021 US Open. The World Number 7 beat Djokovic 6-4 6-4 6-4 to win his first Grand Slam title. It remains the only Grand Slam title of his career so far.

Daniil Medvedev would like to better his 2022 season

Medvedev had an eventful 2022 season. He won two ATP titles and collected over four million in prize money in 2022. He reached the World Number 1 ranking for the first time in his career and held onto it for 16 weeks.

Daniil MedvedevDaniil Medvedev

Medvedev reached the Australian Open finals, losing to Rafael Nadal. However, unfortunately, he crashed out of both the French and US Open in the fourth round. The geopolitics of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine meant he was denied the chance to play the Wimbledon, a decision criticized by many.

He had a disappointing end to the season, with a second-round loss at the Paris Masters and an early exit at the ATP Finals. He will be looking for a better 2023, which begins with Adelaide International.

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