Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic are going to face off in a very interesting final at the Australian Open on Sunday. Novak Djokovic owns the Rod Laver Arena with 8 titles and he is generally considered the favorite to win the final (in 5 sets?). However, it’s pretty clear that Daniil Medvedev will have his chances.
Why Medvedev can beat Djokovic
Daniil is currently on a 20-matches winning streak and he seems more and more confident with his tennis. The Russian ace stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas during their last match to beat the Greek in straight sets. Daniil was extremely solid and he used his serve so well that Tsitsipas compared it to the one of John Isner.
Daniil has also rather good stats against Novak Djokovic. Even if his head-to-head record is 3-4 against the Serbian legend, he won 3 of their last 4 encounters. The last time that they played was just a couple of months ago at the ATP Finals when he beat Djokovic 6-3 6-3,
In addition, Djokovic spent more than 4 hours on court during the Australian Open than Daniil. Given the fact that Nole was struggling with an injury, this may play a role in the contest.
Medvedev at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently the world no.4 (career-high), Daniil owns a compiled 10-0 record in 2021. The Russian is now playing at the Australian Open where he bested Vasek Pospisil 6-2 6-2 6-4, Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 7-5 6-1, Filip Krajinovic 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-0, Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-2 6-3, Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-3 6-2 and Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-2 7-5.
Daniil Medvedev will fight against Djokovic in the final. Their current head to head is 4-3 for Djokovic.
Daniil won 10 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts and 5 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently the world no.1, the Serbian owns a compiled 8-0 record in 2021. Djokovic is playing at the Australian Open where he beat Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-1 6-2, Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-73 7-62 6-3, Taylor Harry Fritz 7-61 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2, Milos Raonic 7-64 4-6 6-1 6-4, Alexander Zverev 6-76 6-2 6-4 7-66 and Aslan Karatsev 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Novak Djokovic will square off with Medvedev in the final. The head to head is 4-3 for Djokovic.
Novak won 82 titles in his career: 48 on hard courts, 15 on clay courts, 13 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic fought against each other 7 times. Their record is 4-3 for Djokovic. The last time they played, Daniil Medvedev won 6-3 6-3 in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2020.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.