Novak Djokovic in peril at ATP Finals after thumping by mighty Daniil Medvedev
World primary Novak Djokovic had sufficient on his plate already on Wednesday with out marauding Russian Daniil Medvedev pummelling him to a shock 6-3, 6-Three defeat on the ATP Finals.
Shortly after information broke that Djokovic had been nominated for a return to the ATP participant council he had stop in August, he took to courtroom on the O2 Arena hoping to seal his passage into the semi-finals of the distinguished year-ender.
Instead his progress out of the Tokyo Group seems difficult, even when not fairly as sophisticated because the politics rumbling on in males`s tennis since he introduced in August he was forming a breakaway Professional Tennis Players` Association (PTPA).
Medvedev`s sensational efficiency means he’s assured prime spot within the group and Djokovic, bidding to match Roger Federer by profitable the title for a record-equalling sixth time, should beat 2018 champion Alexander Zverev in his final round-robin match on Friday.
There was little signal of what was to come back in a mesmerising opening to the match as Djokovic edged right into a 3-2 lead.
But the 24-year-old Medvedev, his flat groundstrokes scorching by the courtroom, discovered a gear that even indoor grasp Djokovic couldn’t find.
Pummelling his high-velocity groundstrokes deep into the corners, Medvedev had Djokovic burning rubber and went on a near-perfect seven-game profitable streak to go away his bemused opponent puffing out his cheeks.
By the time 17-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic managed to cease the rot he was a set and 3-1 in arrears.
Medvedev was relentless and continued to boss the baseline rallies as he prolonged his result in 5-2.
Djokovic held serve to at the least ask the query of Medvedev`s nerve however the Russian was ice cool as he closed out victory to make it two wins from two within the group, whereas handing Djokovic solely his fourth defeat of 2020.
Medvedev, who made solely 12 unforced errors, misplaced all three of his group matches on his ATP Finals debut in London final 12 months, however now seems like a real title contender.
“I just had a pretty bad seven games in a row,” Djokovic, who himself misplaced all three matches on his debut on the ATP`s jewel within the crown in 2007 earlier than taking the title in 2008, mentioned.
“In no time it was 6-3, 3-0. He was just better, no question about it. I struggled to find the right rhythm for 15 minutes or so. I could have and should have done better, but credit to him for playing on a high level.”
Medvedev did what Djokovic has carried out to numerous opponents. Having absorbed the Serb`s finest early on, he broke serve in an prolonged recreation at 3-Three after which ran the legs off his more and more dispirited and ragged opponent.
“I`m sure he didn`t play his best but it happens to everybody,” the world quantity 4, who warmed up for London by profitable the Paris Masters, mentioned.
“I always say the Big Three are champions because it happens to them less than everyone else. I`m feeling confident. I knew I had to take my chances and it was a great match for me.”
While he’ll go into his ultimate group match towards Diego Schwartzman with no stress, Djokovic faces a straight shoot-out with Zverev to keep away from an early exit.
Earlier, Zverev bounced again from his defeat by Medvedev to beat Argentine debutant Schwartzman 6-3,4-6, 6-3.
Leading by a set and 3-1 Zverev cruising regardless of some serving points however allowed Schwartzman again earlier than lastly making his further firepower depend.
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