the Serbian Novak Djokovic and Russian Daniel Medvedev They met in the semi-finals of the ATP 500 in Astana, which ended with a victory for the Balkans for 4-6, 7-6 (6). The Russian surprised his rival, and all the present audience, of retiring from muscle soreness after just over two hours of play.
So, freight will face the third suit Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Kazakh ATP 500 tournament this Sunday from 21:00. Star +.
“I really hope his injury isn’t serious” said Djokovic at the end of the match of the race which takes place on fast fields and has almost two million dollars at stake.
The former world number one did not hold back the praise for his 26-year-old rival and explained that the Russian anticipated his injury on the pitch: “I know Daniil, he’s a great person, he’s a fighter, a great competitor. He told me he pulled an adductor muscle in his leg.” He added.
“It was such a close match, especially in the second set. I would say he was the best player on the pitch in both sets. I was struggling and trying to find a way. I found a way to win the second, but I’m sorry for the tournament and for the people who enjoyed the battle and for Daniil because it ended like this”, condemned freight.
“This is the second time in my life that I have to leave like this, due to an effort”Said Daniil Medvedev.
“At first I thought maybe it was a shot, but in the end I realized it wasn’t. During the tie-break I had the feeling that I could play five or ten points more, but no more, ”added the Russian.
In the other semifinal, Tsitsipas lost the first set but eventually beat fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Rublev won the first set after saving three break points. Tsitsipas broke it in the tenth game of the second to equalize the set count. He became more aggressive during the match, especially in the deciding set.
“It changed my mentality,” Tsitsipas said. “I played a more aggressive style and didn’t win anything with luck. He was aware of every decision he was trying to apply and execute. ” The Greek is aiming for his third title of the year after Monte Carlo and Mallorca and his sixth final of the season.
So, Novak Djokovic will face this Sunday, at 9 and Star +a Stefanos Tsitsipas. The record between the two is 7-2 in favor of the Balkans.
The former number one in the world he achieved 32 wins in the year (he suffered only six defeats) and his fifth final in 2022, the 128th of his career.
On Sunday he will try to reach 90 titles and, thus, get a little closer to one hundred individual cups.
With information from AP.
Source: Clarin
