Daniil Medvedev Stuns Novak Djokovic To Reach His Third Consecutive ATP Final in Cincinnati

Recently, Daniil Medvedev drew parallels between his game and Novak Djokovic’s style of play and today, the Russian faced the tennis player whom he admires the most. On Cincinnati’s Centre Court, Medvedev defeated the defending champion, Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and advanced into the finals of Western & Southern Open 2019.

Over the past two Sundays, the Russian reached the finals in Washington DC and Montreal and lost to Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal respectively in the title match. 

A brilliant game of tennis was displayed by both the ATP men since the very beginning of the match. Both of them followed the pattern of powerful hitting from the baseline and Djokovic showed up frequently on the net. Few of their rallies were extended, the men patiently waited for the right moment to attack and displayed high-quality of tennis.

Defense On NetWars

Having a strong game over the net and the sublime volleys of Novak Djokovic dictated the set. With Medvedev flawing on a crucial moment, the Serb led by 4-2 in the first set by converting the only break point he faced.

The Serb simply absorbed the powerful groundstrokes from the Russian, peaked his defensive skills and progressed to seal the set at 6-3. He won eight out of nine net points and committed just three unforced errors.

Daniil Medvedev opened the second set and produced a hold, with the World Number one, Djokovic having complete control over his service games, the Russian failed to face a break point until 3-3.

Medvedev asked for the trainer to the chair umpire, Lahyani for his right bicep, probably due to the fatigue which has occurred by playing incessant tennis for two whole weeks. An attempt to play a faulty dropshot delivered a break chance to the Serb, with Medvedev acing the next point, the Russian made a gutsy hold at 3-2.

With Djokovic’s slice backhand landing on the net, it generated the first break chance for Medvedev. His lethal backhand return on the next point dropped jaws on the Centre Court as Medvedev led by 5-3 in the second set. Holding his next service game to love, the men embarked to play the decider as Daniil Medvedev produced a love hold.

The third set witnessed the transition of the driver’s seat of the match, as it was Medvedev who seized the first break of service. The Serb netted a backhand slice, the Russian held the crucial break and later consolidated his serve for a 3-1 lead.

Novak Djokovic failed to come across a break point as the Russian exhibited his relentlessly hitting. By facing match points on Djokovic’s serve, Medvedev dethroned the defending champion in Cincinnati and advanced into his third consecutive ATP final of the American swing. He will meet David Goffin in tomorrow’s final.