Regardless of enduring a fourth consecutive defeat to Novak Djokovic within the Adelaide Worldwide 1 semi-finals, Daniil Medvedev stays assured that he can flip the tables on the Serbian if he will get a shot at revenge at this month’s Australian Open. And that’s regardless of Saturday’s 6-3, 6-4 loss being essentially the most lopsided of their 4 most up-to-date battles.
The 26-year-old admitted that the match was “utterly on Novak’s aspect,” however mentioned that his confidence wouldn’t be shaken the following time he meets Djokovic or, for that matter, Rafael Nadal, towards whom he has only a modest 1-5 ATP Head2Head file. Medvedev led the Spaniard two units to like in final yr’s Australian Open ultimate earlier than the lefty rallied to take the title in 5 units.
As he leaves Adelaide, Medvedev now units his sights on a powerful run on the season’s first Slam and maybe one other crack at Djokovic or Nadal, the one two males to beat him on the Australian Open the previous two years.
“I feel with the sensation I had this week, I may very well be again at successful [against] these guys, successful tournaments,” Medvedev mentioned. “Once more, Novak is in a unique league, 21 slams. However typically [I’m] constructive. Want to remain constructive as a result of the primary Slam is coming. Wish to present my finest. Wish to really feel an ideal ambiance prefer it was right here in Adelaide. Trying ahead.”
A few of Medvedev’s career-best wins have come towards Djokovic and Nadal. In 2020, Medvedev received the Nitto ATP Finals, the place he downed Nadal within the semi-finals. The next yr, Medvedev earned his maiden Grand Slam title on the US Open, the place he denied Djokovic’s quest for the coveted calendar Slam. He’ll draw upon these victories to spice up his confidence ought to he play both of them this month in Melbourne.
“Each time I play them, earlier than the match the one thought is I’ve to win,” Medvedev mentioned. “I’ve to attempt my finest to win. I managed to do it. Rafa, I feel I beat solely as soon as, however nonetheless I managed to do it. I had some robust matches towards him, towards Novak. In opposition to Novak I received a slam. I consider in myself.
“However typically on the courtroom it will get robust. Generally you do not handle to make the problem. Tonight is a case. I did not handle to go the check. Subsequent time I face him, I will attempt to do it once more.”
Whereas Djokovic remained sturdy within the vital moments of Saturday’s match, saving all three break factors confronted, Medvedev double faulted on break level in each units. Regardless of being often called one of many sport’s strongest returners, Medvedev solely received 4 factors off Djokovic’s first supply and did not convert on all three break factors.
Djokovic, a 91-time tour-level titlist, prolonged his ATP Head2Head collection result in 9-4 over Medvedev. Whereas they break up units of their three earlier conferences, Medvedev gave a simple reply as he conceded that Saturday’s one hour and 30 minute contest was one-way site visitors.
“Generally tennis is concerning the small, small margins,” Medvedev mentioned. “Some matches I managed to win towards him. This one was utterly on his aspect.”
Though Medvedev received’t be topped champion in Adelaide, he’s nonetheless drawing positives from the three wins he earned this week on the ATP 250 occasion. With one week till the primary Grand Slam of the yr, the 15-time tour-level titlist believes he’s nonetheless in a powerful place to say his second main crown. After ending runner-up in Melbourne the previous two seasons, Medvedev might be glad with nothing lower than leaving the Australian Open with the trophy.
