Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev, who is having a horrific season ever since his defeat to Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open finals, has finally showed glimpses of his best form against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the on-going Astana Open in Kazakhstan. The duo had memorable battles in the past and this Kazakhstan duel also lived up to fan’s expectations.
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Medvedev, who took the first set, managed to almost script yet another memorable victory against the Serbian but like so many others, was brutally denied victory as Djokovic once again stepped up to the occasion and clinched the second set in a tie-breaker.
Fans shocked after Daniil Medevedev’s bizarre retirement against Novak Djokovic at ATP Astana Open
As fans present in the stadium and scores of fans across the globe were eagerly waiting for a block-buster third set, Daniil decided to close the curtains and gave a walkover to his Serbian opponent. Shocked as the rest of us, Novak took some time to comprehend what just happened and later informed about Medvedev’s injury that forced him to retire.
Reuters
Tennis – ATP 500 – Astana Open – National Tennis Center, Astana, Kazakhstan – October 8, 2022 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his semi final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev
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Djokovic on @TennisTV : "@DaniilMedwed "He told me he pulled an adductor in his leg," a stunned Djokovic said in a courtside interview. "I'm still surprised that he retired this match. He looked completely fine." 1/3
While the Russian’s explanation does seem to make sense, it’s the timing of his retirement that shocked fans all over the world.
A disappointed fan, who was expecting a wild third-set clash between the two wrote, “Oh come on!.”
Another fan subtly mocked Medvedev while appreciating the quality of the second set between the two stars.
ritiro per infortunio bo
No. 4 seed 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole advances to the final after Medvedev is forced to retire due to injury. Final score: 4-6, 7-6(6). @ktf_kz | #AstanaOpen
A proud Djokovic fan, meanwhile, appreciated the Serb for reaching yet another ATP final.
El mejor del planeta.
No. 4 seed 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole advances to the final after Medvedev is forced to retire due to injury. Final score: 4-6, 7-6(6). @ktf_kz | #AstanaOpen
Another fan directly takes on Medvedev as the Russian receives criticism for running away from the match citing an injury.
“Crazy “Injury” was playing until the last point with full force and when he loses the second set to Djokovic with the crowd together he goes there and runs away,” the fan wrote.
From Djokovic’s statement after the match, it was evident that Daniil was suffering from a minor injury and didn’t want to risk playing another set.
So bizarre! I thought Daniil's playing well, playing better than Novak in fact. Then the retirement. But happy that Nole's in another final. Great match with an unfortunate end.
No. 4 seed 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole advances to the final after Medvedev is forced to retire due to injury. Final score: 4-6, 7-6(6). @ktf_kz | #AstanaOpen
Another fan mocked Medvedev by writing, “Brain injury? or too much running in this insane TB?”
Brain injury ? Or too much running in this insane TB?
No. 4 seed 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole advances to the final after Medvedev is forced to retire due to injury. Final score: 4-6, 7-6(6). @ktf_kz | #AstanaOpen
Some fans were also shocked by the sudden nature of Medvedev’s injury.
WHAT injury???? His knee???
No. 4 seed 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole advances to the final after Medvedev is forced to retire due to injury. Final score: 4-6, 7-6(6). @ktf_kz | #AstanaOpen
Another die-hard fan wrote, “K*ll me pls.”
k*ll me pls
No. 4 seed 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole advances to the final after Medvedev is forced to retire due to injury. Final score: 4-6, 7-6(6). @ktf_kz | #AstanaOpen
All in all, it was an absurd ending to a great match that could have given fans a real feast had it gone to the third set. With this walkover, Novak Djokovic advances to the final of the Astana Open, where he meets Stefanos Tsitsipas as yet another potential blockbuster awaits tennis fans on Sunday.