Novak Djokovic remained undefeated in the round robin phase of the ATP Finals as he defeated Russia Daniel Medvedev 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) in a grueling clash at Turin’s Pala Alpitour on Friday to top the red group.
Djokovic, who is aiming for a sixth season-ending Championship title to equal Roger Federer’s record, fired first blood in a tight first set to take a 5-3 lead and consolidated the break for the early advantage of the match.
Trailing 5-4 in the next, the Serb saved three set points and equalized with a searing cross shot at the end of a 26-shot exchange but looked to struggle physically to lose the tie-break as he allowed Medvedev to get back into the game. .
Having already reached the semi-finals after beating Andrei Rublev Wednesday, some might have expected Djokovic to relax and save energy for Saturday’s semi-final with Taylor Fritz but the 35-year-old responded in style.
The Serb fought back after a breakdown in the deciding game to hand Medvedev his third straight defeat after three hours and five minutes.
“Daniil and I had a few battles in the past and I knew going into the game it would be his last of the season and he wouldn’t want to end with a loss,” Djokovic said.
“I started well, I had chances in the second set, I had break points but he played very well in those decisive points. He was playing very fast. I didn’t feel good physically in the third, I struggled a lot. It’s a battle and it’s a fight.
“Being able to find the last drop of energy to come back…at 4-5 (in the third set) I managed to read his serve and anticipate well and put myself in a good position.”
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Russia’s Rublev later on Friday, with the winner taking on Norway’s Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.
Djokovic, who is aiming for a sixth season-ending Championship title to equal Roger Federer’s record, fired first blood in a tight first set to take a 5-3 lead and consolidated the break for the early advantage of the match.
Trailing 5-4 in the next, the Serb saved three set points and equalized with a searing cross shot at the end of a 26-shot exchange but looked to struggle physically to lose the tie-break as he allowed Medvedev to get back into the game. .
Having already reached the semi-finals after beating Andrei Rublev Wednesday, some might have expected Djokovic to relax and save energy for Saturday’s semi-final with Taylor Fritz but the 35-year-old responded in style.
The Serb fought back after a breakdown in the deciding game to hand Medvedev his third straight defeat after three hours and five minutes.
“Daniil and I had a few battles in the past and I knew going into the game it would be his last of the season and he wouldn’t want to end with a loss,” Djokovic said.
“I started well, I had chances in the second set, I had break points but he played very well in those decisive points. He was playing very fast. I didn’t feel good physically in the third, I struggled a lot. It’s a battle and it’s a fight.
“Being able to find the last drop of energy to come back…at 4-5 (in the third set) I managed to read his serve and anticipate well and put myself in a good position.”
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Russia’s Rublev later on Friday, with the winner taking on Norway’s Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.
