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Novak Djokovic ATP Cup 2021
Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News, Tennis Players, Tennis Tournaments

Social Slice: Djokovic cruises; Medvedev survives heat; Tsitsipas upset


On today’s Olympics Social Slice, Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev advance to the quarter-finals, while Stefanos Tsitsipas crashes out.Β 

Firstly, world number one Djokovic continued his quest for a first Olympic gold medal to keep his Golden Calendar Slam hopes alive.

The Serbian produced a sublime display to dismantle good friend Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 24 minutes in the last 16.

World number two Medvedev joined the favourite in the last eight, but faced a much tougher battle in the midday Tokyo heat.

The Russian said “I can finish the match but I can die”, but managed to hold off Fabio Fognini in three tough sets in two hours and 26 minutes.

After the second set, Medvedev made the most of the ITF’s extreme weather policy which allows a 10-minute break before the decider.

Medvedev left the court without his shirt or shoes and used the full time to take a cold shower.

The third seed – Stefanos Tsitsipas – did not join Djokovic and Medvedev in the men’s singles quarter-finals, however.

The Greek was stunned in three sets by Ugo Humbert – and was seemingly affected in the third set after rolling his ankle as the Frenchman took the second set.

The 22-year-old was, though, fit to team up with Maria Sakkari later in the day and earn a win in the mixed doubles.

The Greek duo defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski in the opening round.

With Tsitsipas looking a bit flat after his singles disappointment, Sakkari seemed to be having a great time and tried to raise her partner’s spirits.

Finally, there was an unfortunate end to Paula Badosa’s fine run in the women’s singles draw – with heat stroke being reported as the reason for her withdrawal.

The Spaniard left the court in a wheelchair after being forced to retire following losing the first set of her quarter-final against Marketa Vondrousova.

The issue of play starting at 11am local time in Tokyo – as questioned by the likes of Djokovic and Medvedev – has again been raised.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.