The world number one Novak Djokovic, suffered his first defeat of the year 2023 by falling this Friday in his semifinal of the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai against the Russian Daniil Medvedev in two sets, by 6-4 and 6-4.
The Serbian, winner at the start of the Australian Open course -his 22nd Grand Slam title-, saw his streak of 20 consecutive victories cut short, in this duel against a former world number one like Medvedev, who currently occupies seventh place in the ATP ranking.
Djokovic reappeared this week in Dubai after a month of hiatus, just after his title in Melbourne.
Until this semifinal, the role of ‘Djoko’ in Dubai was impeccable, despite having dropped a set to the Czech Tomas Machac in the first round.
Djokovic ran into the solidity of Medvedev again and again in his semifinal, without finding the path of comeback.
“When you play Novak you have to do your best tennis. I am happy for having managed to get to his level”, celebrated Medvedev, who in this 2023 was already champion in the Rotterdam and Doha tournaments.
“Every time I beat Novak it’s an incredible feeling. He’s probably the greatest tennis player of all time,” he added.
The big question now for Djokovic is whether he will be allowed to enter the United States without being vaccinated against covid-19, to be able to play in Indian Wells (March 8-19) and Miami (March 22-April 2). The US authorities extended until April the obligation for foreign visitors to have received an approved vaccine against covid.
“I’m still waiting for news,” Djokovic said. “If I don’t go to the United States, I guess I’ll play on clay. Monte Carlo is probably the next tournament. If so, I’ll take some time off to prepare,” he advanced.
On Thursday he had said that he hoped to know if he could travel to the United States before the Indian Wells Masters 1000 draw on Monday (23:00 GMT).
The final in Dubai will be 100% Russian, since Medvedev will face the current champion in the Emirati city, Andrey Rublev (number 6 in the world), who in the first semifinal defeated the German Alexander Zverev (16th) 6-3 and 7-5 (11/9) .
It is the first time after six confrontations in which Rublev prevails against the German. He achieved victory in the tie-break after about two hours of play.
“I don’t really know how I did it, I thought there would be a third set, I was preparing myself mentally. Zverev He has played my match points very well”, Rublev acknowledged after the match. “Then I had a bit of luck”, he admitted.
Current champion in Dubai, Andrey Rublev can win his first title of the year 2023 on Saturday.
— Dubai ATP Tournament
– Individuals – Semifinals:
Daniil Medvedev (RUS/N.3) defeated Novak Djokovic (SRB/N.1) 6-4, 6-4
Andrey Rublev (RUS/N.2) defeated Alexander Zverev (GER/N.7) 6-3, 7-6 (11/9)
