Nole is thru to the ATP 500 occasion last.
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev met for the eleventh time in a extremely anticipated semi-final match on the Astana Open on Saturday.
The 2 gamers had been degree at one set apiece, 4-6, 7-6 (6), earlier than the second seed determined to tug out because of a leg damage.
There have been three consecutive breaks of serve within the first set, two of them belonging to Medvedev, who transformed his solely two break alternatives. Serving at 5-4 he raced out to 40/0 and took the set on his second alternative.
There have been no breaks of serve within the second set and it got here right down to a tie-break. Novak received it 8-6 to degree the competition, then Daniil surprisingly retired injured.
“I actually hope that his damage is nothing too severe,” stated Djokovic. “It was such a detailed match, notably within the second set. I’d in all probability say he was a greater participant on the court docket in each units. I used to be combating and looking for a approach. I discovered a solution to win the second, however I’m simply unhappy for the event and for these individuals who had been having fun with the battle, and for Daniil that it needed to finish this manner.”
Match statistics: aces (3-9), double faults (0-2), winners (27-26), unforced errors (25-11), complete factors received (62-70).
Novak will now purpose to seal back-to-back titles in Sunday’s last (12.30 CET) in opposition to no.3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas (H2H document 7-2). The Greek was a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 winner in opposition to Andrey Rublev.
Ought to he again up final week’s Tel Aviv championship run with a second consecutive title and ninetieth general, Djokovic will qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.
Picture: Astana Open