Novak Djokovic’s 20-match win streak and ideal begin to 2023 got here to an finish on Friday when Daniil Medvedev gained their Dubai Championship semi-final in straight units.
Medvedev got here by means of 6-4, 6-4 and can face Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev, the defending champion, in Saturday’s ultimate.
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World primary Djokovic had been undefeated since claiming the season-ending ATP Finals in November.
He then went on to clinch the Adelaide title and a tenth Australian Open for a record-equalling twenty second Grand Slam crown.
Nonetheless, Medvedev can also be on a sizzling streak and arrived within the Gulf with titles in Rotterdam and Doha.
The world quantity seven has now racked up 13 successive wins after claiming simply his fifth victory in 14 conferences towards Djokovic.
The Serbian star had captured their final 4 conferences for the reason that Russian ended his bid for a uncommon calendar Grand Slam on the 2021 US Open ultimate.
“Whenever you play towards Novak you simply must play your greatest,” Medvedev mentioned.
“Form of hope he doesn’t play his greatest on the day as a result of when he performs his greatest, effectively he has 22 Grand Slams, so even in case you play your greatest, it’s going to be robust, unsure you win.”
The previous world primary added: “I managed to play a better stage than him at this time.
“Within the second set I didn’t face one break level, however there have been so many 30/30 video games.
“I managed to remain composed and I’m completely satisfied to be within the ultimate tomorrow.”
On Friday, the 27-year-old Medvedev fired eight aces in his 27 winners.
Djokovic dedicated 14 unforced errors, twice as many as his opponent within the 95-minute semi-final.
The highest seed had been chasing his sixth title in Dubai, having lifted the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2020.
Earlier, Rublev defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev for the primary time in six conferences with a 6-3, 7-6 (11/9) victory in his semi-final.
Medvedev shall be aiming to clinch his 18th tour-level crown and seventeenth on onerous courts in Saturday’s ultimate.
