“Sometimes he is unstoppable,” Daniil Medvedev hoping Novak Djokovic is not on his side of the draw at Australian Open
The Russian tennis star was speaking after his semi-final defeat to the Serbian at the Adelaide International
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Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev recently stated that he hopes not to be put up against 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Australian Open. Medvedev also acknowledged he would have to improve his performance before the first Grand Slam of the year. He also acknowledged Djokovic as the best player in the world right now.
“I felt great tonight, really great, that’s good for Australian Open. But feeling that great, I lost. That’s a little bit the negative. So, yeah, hopefully, no Novak on my side of the draw in the Australian Open. But even if it’s not the case, going to try my best and going to try to do better next time like I was able to do against him before. Sometimes tennis is about the small, small margins. Some matches I managed to win against him. This one was completely on his side. Yeah, hopefully, the more matches like this on his side, the more the chances that the next one going to turn on mine,” Medvedev said.
The Russian was talking after his 6-3,6-4 defeat to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Adelaide International on Saturday. Medvedev let himself down with two double faults on break points and some unforced errors, which turned the tide in Djokovic’s favor. The loss means that Djokovic leads Medvedev 9-4 in the head-to-head.
Daniil Medvedev had been in fine form till the semi-finals, however. The World Number 7 had not dropped a set while notching up three victories. The 2023 season has started well for the 2021 US Open winner. He said he had a great week in Adelaide, which bodes well for his preparation for the Australian Open.
The first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins next week in Melbourne. Medvedev will be keen to perform well at a tournament where he has performed excellently in the past.
Related: Novak Djokovic brushes off injury scare following win over Daniil Medvedev in Adelaide
A look at Daniil Medvedev’s numbers at the Australian Open
Medvedev has been in terrific form at the Australian Open in recent years. He has reached the finals of the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Open but has yet to go all the way.
Medvedev faced Novak Djokovic in the final in 2021. He got revenge for the straight sets loss to the Serbian later that year at the US Open, where he lifted his first major title. He then faced Rafael Nadal in 2022. Medvedev started excellently, winning the first sets brilliantly. But the gritty Spaniard was able to mount a comeback and win his 22nd Grand Slam title.
This time, Medvedev will be aiming to win the whole thing. Coming into the Australian Open as the sixth seed, he will start his quest on the 16th of January.
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Samarth Srivastava
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