Eitan Dahan | 20/02/2021 17:31
Daniel Medvedev and Novak Djokovic (Reuters)
The highlight of the Australian Championship will come tomorrow (Sunday) at 10:30. On the one hand Novak Djokovic who will try to take another big step in the history books of tennis towards Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are above all with 20 majors. On the other hand, the hit will come from Russia, Daniel Medvedev, who is in just great shape and in a crazy streak of 20 consecutive victories, 12 of them over top 10 players.
The world number one, who won the Cinderella story of the tournament Aslan Kratzb in the semifinals, also maintained a paid balance in Melbourne in the last 4 stages and in fact after Dominic Tim’s early dismissal also went through a fairly easy way to the final, but on the way he faced a lot of criticism about his injury. A little over a week ago he claimed that he was in great doubt whether he would be able to continue at all.
Medvedev By the way, he was asked about the injury and reacted decisively: “Nola did not fake any injury, he lost systems and I am sure that the games later on were not easy at all for him either. Against Taylor Fritz I saw his pain, I was sure he would lose. Despite this, I do not expect an easy final, that’s for sure. ” On the preparation and viewing of his world-ranked rival 4 he replied with the unconventional answer: “He usually played late, so I already had to go to bed.”
It will be only the second final in the 25-year-old Russian’s career, but this time he will arrive full of confidence after sweeping the Russian team to win the ATP Cup and his current fitness, and especially after the impressive victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, he made that final almost 50: 50 Although on the other side is the Joker who has already lifted the prestigious trophy in Melbourne 8 times.
Anyway, this time there is definitely a different feeling in the cool air of Melbourne, a feeling that Medvedev’s glass ceiling is going to shatter and Nola’s complete control of the first Grand Slam of the season and the world of tennis in recent years is fading. However, Djokovic must never be eulogized, no matter with what injury, in front of whom and on what surface.
If the issue of reviews on it came up again, then Sam Groth, The Australian tennis player who incidentally signed the fastest serve ever, said of the Serb: “He will never have a loving crowd like Landal and Federer have. I think he shows that it does not interest him that he is not loved, but I think it does bother him. There is nothing to talk about his fantastic ability on the field, it is an extraordinary level, but he always seems to be looking for something to complain about. “
What is certain, regardless of the winner’s identity, good tennis and drama is sure to be – the Russian will bring the strengths and showcase his extraordinary backhand stroke, which may sometimes be less beautiful to the eye, but very very effective and can be well attested by Tsitsipas, who felt it closely and quite a bit in the semifinals . Maybe the easiest way Nola encounters will be in his backyard or suddenly Medvedev’s inexperience will speak? We will get the answers tomorrow at noon, but history is sure to be – a first celebration or a huge step towards the legends from Switzerland and Spain with Major No. 18.
