ATP Cincinnati: Valiant Daniil Medvedev dethrones Novak Djokovic
The 23-year-old Russian Daniil Medvedev has been the player to beat in the past three weeks, winning 12 out of 14 matches and reaching finals in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati. Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal took him down in the first two title matches and the Russian will have the opportunity to chase the title in Cincinnati as well, dethroning Novak Djokovic after a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 triumph in an hour and 42 minutes for the second consecutive Masters 1000 final. The defending champion controlled the pace in the opening set before the Russian took charge, going for all-or-nothing shots that gave him the advantage on the court, firing 37 winners and 21 unforced errors to leave Novak behind and set the title clash against David Goffin on Sunday. It was a different dimension of Daniil's tennis in the second part of the match, changing the course of the encounter and going for points instead of hitting from a few meters behind the baseline, tactic that brought him nothing in the opener.
Overall, Medvedev had to play against only two break points, suffering that one break in set number one and looking stronger and stronger in his games after fending off a crucial break chance at 2-2 in set number two that kept him alive. Novak lost the ground after that, unable to draw mistakes from the inspired rival or to extend the rallies to the safe ground above the ninth shot where he had a clear advantage over the Russian. Both players won 75 points and Daniil forged the advantage after converting all three break chances, playing mighty impressive tennis in the last 50 minutes or so to take one big title out of Novak's hands.
The Serb controlled the pace in the opening set with well-measured shots, sailing through his games and delivering a break in game six after an incredible defense that sent him 4-2 up, clinching the set with a hold at 15 in game nine when the Russian sprayed a forehand error. Djokovic was the better player on the court in the first six games of set number two as well, dropping one point in the first three service games and creating that break chance at 2-2 that could have pushed him closer to the finish line. Staying calm, Daniil saved it with a service winner and blasted a backhand return winner at 4-3 to go in front, landing a forehand down the line winner in game nine to wrap up the set and bring the decider. There, he broke Novak at 15 in games three and nine, sealing the deal with a return winner at 5-3 for the place in the title match, staying on the course for the first Masters 1000 crown.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2KDxW3T
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