Daniil Medvedev has just lost the Australian Open final when facing a superb Novak Djokovic. The Serbian champion was facing a player that many considered like him, but 10 years younger. However, Novak proved some people wrong again as he showed that he could easily inject deadly variations in his tennis. That was exactly what he did against the Russian ace that looked to be unable to offer any meaningful resistance.
About Djokovic and Nadal
This was Medvedev’s second final as he lost to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final back in 2019. That day, Daniil recovered from a 2-set deficit, but eventually he folded in the decider (7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4).
Daniil was asked to draw a comparison between those 2 days.
“I get closer because I gain experience each time, and that is the key. If I play Novak again here in the final, I will do things differently, on and off the court, because I will remember that deadly defeat; It doesn’t mean that I will necessarily win, but that’s the life of a tennis player. Let’s say that the defeat in New York may have hurt more because I had more chances to win. But these are two very different matches.
Rafa gives you more time to think on the court. He’s amazing in defense and with his forehand. You think you’ve won the point and you get mad. But at least you have time to think, to adapt.
Against Novak, I wanted to do different things, but he deprived me of time for that, he took the advantage in everything, very quickly. The match must have lasted two hours but it’s as if it lasted thirty minutes and presto, I was holding the finalist’s trophy.”
Daniil Medvedev in 2021
Currently the world no.3 (career-high), Daniil played his last encounter on the 21st of February when he was overcome by Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open (draw).
This season Medvedev has a composed 10-1 record. Daniil Medvedev’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Ranked world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 21st of February when he defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 82nd career title.
Currently, during this season Djokovic has achieved a compiled 9-0 match record. Novak has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic played each other 8 times. Their actual head to head record is 5-3 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time when they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 21st of February 2021.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Currently the world no.2, Nadal played his last match on the 17th of February when he was overcome by Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Nadal has a 4-1 win-loss record.
