“Always a pleasure,” Daniil Medvedev hands Novak Djokovic his first defeat of 2023
Daniil Medvedev takes down Novak Djokovic in straight-sets to reach the finals of the 2023 Dubai Championships.
Follow Us
Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev continues to thrive on his rediscovered form on the hardcourts. Despite his early exit from the 2023 Australian Open, Medvedev did not lose heart. With today’s win over Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the 2023 Dubai Championships, he registers his 13th match win in space of 18 days.
Medvedev defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 in a 94 minutes showdown. Having lost four consecutive matches against Djokovic, the 27-year-old finally registered his fifth win in his 14th match against the Serb. The win over Djokovic takes the Russian into his third consecutive final this season having already won the titles in Rotterdam and Doha.
Speaking in the press conference, Medvedev showed respect for Djokovic but took pride in ending Djokovic’s 20-match unbeaten streak. Since November 2022, Djokovic had not lost a match hitherto. The Russian further extends his own winning streak to 13 matches that he can increase to 14 in tomorrow’s final.
“I think I can run a lot and put a lot of balls in the court. A lot of opponents, maybe even more Novak than some guys let’s say like Hurkacz or Cressy who knows their game plan is more to go to the net, that’s why they don’t care that I put a lot of balls in the court. Novak, still even if he’s amazing at the net, in my opinion, he’s not the guy who goes there every second point, so it’s a little bit tougher for him. I think he just, yeah, was trying to find something during the match where he didn’t feel his best.
“We could see it. At least this happens to him also, because sometimes we could not think this way. That’s why he tried different things, because he’s a champion. So I knew I had to be ready for this. For example, on 30-15 last game when he made this return winner, I had to be ready, but I didn’t think he’s going to turn around. Yeah, he’s an amazing player, so I had to stay focused till the last points to win the match,” said Medvedev after the win.
Related: “Really sorry,” Daniil Medvedev regrets denying Novak Djokovic his Calendar Slam
Daniil Medvedev recalls defeating Novak Djokovic to win his first Major
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev had a unique series going on between them. When Djokovic was ranked the World No. 1, Medvedev was leading the head-to-head. Since the Russian broke through to become the first non-Big-4 player in decades to reach the top, Djokovic beat Medvedev every time. Now with Djokovic back on top, it is Medvedev who has emerged victorious.
“Tough to say. I mean, every time I beat Novak is amazing feeling. He’s probably the greatest tennis player of all time. Or at least one of the two or one of the three, I don’t know, one of five, whatever (smiling). Amazing player. Every time I manage to beat him, is amazing. Of course, beating him in US Open final was my best memory because that’s my only slam. To beat someone like him in the final is just a dream come true and forever in my memories.
“In terms of this comparison, maybe this one is a little bit less because it’s not the final, it’s semis. I have an important match to play tomorrow. But it’s always pleasure to beat him. When I say this, it’s not in a greedy way, it’s just that every time it gives you extra boost of confidence, like, Wow, I was able to beat Novak, I can for sure beat anybody,” said Medvedev further.
In the title match, defending champion and compatriot Andrey Rublev will be the hurdle for Medvedev. In the all-Russian final, the two will be going head-to-head for the seventh time with Medvedev leading 4-2 in the matches so far.
Continue Reading:
Rennae Stubbs wants noise around Novak Djokovic’s vaccination status against Covid-19 to stop
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)