'Novak Djokovic was perfect against Karatsev and Medvedev,' says Mats Wilander

The seven-time Major champion Mats Wilander was impressed by what he saw from Novak Djokovic in the last two Australian Open matches. The Serb went on to win the ninth Melbourne Park crown, beating Daniil Medvedev in the title clash. Thus, Novak has extended his Australian Open reign and moved closer to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the GOAT race, moving two Majors behind them. Novak experienced an injury against Taylor Fritz in the third set, prevailing in five sets and struggling a bit against Milos Raonic and Alexander Zverev. With his team working around the clock, Novak was ready for those challenges, beating the Canadian and the German in four sets and preserving enough energy for the semi-final clash with Aslan Karatsev. The Russian qualifier stood no chance against the Australian Open king, with Djokovic earning a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory in under two hours, showing no signs of injury and leaving the Major debutant far behind.

Novak Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev for his 18th Major title.

Returning close to his best, Djokovic was eager to produce the same level against an in-form Daniil Medvedev, who was playing in the second Major final after the US Open 2019. Never losing a match after passing the quarter-final round in Melbourne, Novak proved to be too strong for Daniil en route to his ninth Australian Open crown, scoring a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 triumph that propelled him towards the 18th Major title. Wilander said that Novak just got better and better in the last two matches, mixing his game nicely and winning points in different ways.

"He was saying, 'I'm not perfect, but I'm here.' Today and in the semis, he was perfect, with the way he played and physically. It was an incredible performance; he just got better and better, winning points in many different ways. Novak is so complete these days; he can hit those little drop shots and create new options with net rushings. It looks as difficult to beat him here at the Australian Open as it is to beat Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros, and it shouldn't be because it's a much faster court. In theory, it should be much more difficult, but he looks so solid and confident. Once he gets into the lead, I don't know what you have to do to beat him," Mats Wilander said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3kcJStK