Top five Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev matches
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev have forged a strong rivalry at the top of the men’s game. Join us for a look at their greatest showdowns.
After enjoying a breakout season in 2018 which saw him climb from 65th to 16th in the world, Medvedev built on that come 2019.
The Russian claimed four titles that year, including two Masters 1000 trophies in Cincinnati and Shanghai, and reached the US Open final before finishing the season ranked fifth in the world.
Having met twice before, 2019 was also the year that the Djokovic vs Medvedev really kicked off. These are five of their greatest on-court battles to date in chronological order.
5. 2019 Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final – Medvedev wins 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Medvedev has, on a number of occasions, confessed to the fact that clay is far from his favourite surface. But in 2019, the Russian enjoyed an impressive clay season, one which kicked off in Monte Carlo.
After ousting then world number eight Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round, Medvedev met Djokovic for a fourth time in their careers.
Medvedev pulled off the upset to down Djokovic, his first win over the Serb, advancing to the semi-finals where he lost to another Serb in Dusan Lajovic.
4. 2019 Cincinnati Masters semi-final – Medvedev wins 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
Following a rough end to the clay season and through the grass, Medvedev got on a roll during the North American hard court swing by reaching the final in Washington and the Canadian Masters back-to-back before moving on to Cincinnati.
Djokovic did not play between his fourth Wimbledon title and Cincinnati. The two met in the last four, with the momentum of Medvedev proving too much for the world number one.
3. 2020 ATP Cup semi-final – Djokovic wins 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
For this match it was national more than individual pride on the line as Djokovic led Serbia against Medvedev’s Russia. After Lajovic defeated Karen Khachanov in the first rubber, Russian hopes rested on Medvedev’s shoulders.
The match-up did not disappoint, as the contest went the full three sets before Djokovic eventually triumphed, going on to lead his country to the title at the inaugural ATP Cup.
2. 2021 US Open final – Medvedev wins 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
While admittedly not much of a contest in the end, the last Slam final of 2021 had a story that justifies its entry on this list.
Djokovic was coming in with three Major titles under his belt in the year, just one win away from history in his attempt to be the first man to complete the Calendar Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.
On the other hand, Medvedev had the opportunity to exorcise his demons from a lacklustre display against Djokovic at the Australian Open early in the year.
Medvedev seized that chance with two hands as he was just too strong for Djokovic while the pressure of history clearly overwhelmed the Serb.
In defeat the Serb won over the crowd, his tears endearing and humanising him more than ever in the eyes of the New York fans.
1. 2021 Paris Masters final – Djokovic wins 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
A third meeting in a third final in 2021 for the world number one and number two.
The pair were 1-1 in those battles, coming at the Australian Open and US Open respectively. This tie in the French capital was a battle of the last two champions, Medvedev being the defending champ from 2020.
While the Russian gained the upper hand by claiming the first set, the fighting spirit of Djokovic carried him through to a record sixth Paris title and new standalone record 37th Masters 1000 title, pulling one ahead of Rafael Nadal.
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