It will be a rematch of the Davis Cup quarterfinals when Serbia and Russia meet again on Saturday in Sydney. Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev headlines the intriguing lineup.
Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
Djokovic and Medvedev will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers on Saturday in the ATP Cup semifinals, adding to what could become one of the most intriguing rivalries in tennis. The matchup has not disappointed so far, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head series 3-2. After the Serb prevailed in four sets at last year’s Australian Open, Medvedev pulled off three-set upsets in Monte-Carlo and Cincinnati.
Both players are undefeated at this inaugural event, although it was not easy in the quarters. Djokovic held off Denis Shapovalov in a final-set tiebreaker, while Medvedev survived a contentious three-setter against Diego Schwartzman. Another fun one should be in the cards, but Djokovic playing for his country and playing on his Australian stomping grounds is a tough combination.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs. Karen Khachanov (RUS)
Khachanov is 4-0 so far at the ATP Cup. The 17th-ranked Russian has not faced the toughest competition as his country’s No. 2 singles player, but his 6-2, 7-6(4) quarterfinal victory over an in-form Guido Pella was especially impressive.
Lajovic has won each of their two previous encounters, but those come on clay. Although both of these men are all-court players, a hard surface gives Khachanov a much better opportunity. Lajovic’s recent 6-4, 6-2 rout of Felix Auger-Aliassime really isn’t as good as it looks based on the Canadian’s ongoing slump. Khachanov, a much different beast than Auger-Aliassime right now, should have too much game for the Serb.
Pick: Khachanov in 2
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WWW?
Medvedev in 3
Khachanov in 3
Lajovic
Djokovic
This SF is anti-climatic, why is Khachanov looking and playing so one dimensionally? It’s not like Lajovic has big weapons, he just runs and runs.
Now it looks like Djoko is having an even easier time against Medvedev; can’t believe the Russians don’t even bother to fight hard, unlike the Spaniards who have so much pride in representing their country.
Spain and Australia will have a hard time fighting each other; the beneficiary of all these will be Serbia in the final.
Medvedev has tapes on his inner thigh and it’s only the beginning of the season, not looking good for him. It looks like the Russians more than the Serbians are bothered by the humidity here, as Lajovic and Djoko are running all over the place as if there’s nothing bothering them physically.
Maybe Tsitsipas not making it out of the group stage is a blessing in disguise after all; maybe he can be well rested and be ready for the AO.
Ha ha ha what a set point by Medvedev and Russia wins the second set. At least Medvedev starts fighting after losing the first set, and comes up with something more solid, unlike Khachanov who didn’t have a plan B to fall back to.
I don’t think it’s a good idea having the ATP cup at this time of the season, ending just one week before the AO starts. The players already look so exhausted under these tough conditions, I wonder do they still have much left for the AO in BO5 under the same brutal conditions.
Maybe exit at group stage is enough match play already, no point busting your guts out for this at the expense of a slam. Fed is smart enough not to be involved in ATP cup, let the other top players exhaust themselves playing it.
You could be right but im sure they’ve put a lot of thought into it. The ATP Cup effectively replaces the the Sydney and Brisbane International and Doha for many of the players. It works well with Australia’s multi-state facilities and the multicultural spectators in terms over the overall concept.
I now feel both Fed’s and Tsitsipas’s chances at the AO increase after this ATP Cup! I really doubt that both Djoko and Rafa in their 30s would have much left for the AO. Medvedev too, looking exhausted, not going to last in BO5 matches.
I’m saying that from the beginning ..but if rafa has to make the same mistakes we can’t help it…its jyst atp cup..not Olympics..he does not have to kill himself..who cares about atp cup..
Fed is now clear fav for ao. Djoko n rafa killing themselves playing atp cup these brutal conditions .Rafa not even playing well n playing singles doubles both..fed is well rested n will now surely have massive advantage..i am saying from last nov that fed has very high chance to win ao though i hope not as that will increase gao vs Rafa n deny rafa double career slam
Sanju AT 12:36 AM,
Rafa has always played warm-up tournaments (when he hasn’t been injured).
I hope Spain lose today so that Rafa does not kill himself to play the doubles n tomm n once Novak sees rafa tomm, he will want to make a statement
Rafa won’t kill himself, seriously he’s just affected by the humidity. Imo Djoko had it tougher having to deal with Shapo and then Medvedev. He looked even more exhausted than Rafa was yesterday, Rafa looked ok in the doubles.
I think Rafa can and will beat De Minaur and it will be decided by the doubles which team goes to the final. If Spain reaches the final, then the Rafa vs Djoko match may be the real exhausting one.
I feel physically Djoko is worse off than Rafa even though Rafa plays in more doubles matches (doubles matches are not too exhausting and Rafa can practise his skills at the net in doubles).
Rafa really needs more matches to feel confident about his game, and esp his serve, so it may not be a bad thing for him to carry on playing; he just needs to shorten points and not play like that Djoko/Medvedev match but looks to move forward to the net as much as possible and serves well.
In my opinion, as long as Rafa finds his good serve again, he will have his chances at the AO even though he may be affected by the ATP cup physically. He needs his serve plus FH short point tennis.
Djoko’s game looks ok and I don’t think he has much to improve on; his game is as usual- long baseline rallies and then finds his chances to move to the net to finish the point. He will rely on his ROS and when the need arises, he’ll serve exceptional well on crucial points, that’s basically his style.
At this point, Djoko’s game style looks more exhausting than Rafa’s, and he may have met his match in the younger Medvedev, who could match him shot for shot. Rafa has already moved away from his long baseline rallying game, and it seems it really paid off as he has the upper hand against the youngsters and is able to win where it matters to reach YE no.1.
Right now Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Thiem are all gaining grounds against Djoko, and Shapo is pushing closer and closer, so Djoko may have his hands full, even though Fed and Rafa may be no match for him right now.
Rafa otoh deals better against the young guns, so as a Rafa fan, I hope Rafa can make the best of the situations right now to win as much as possible.
Awesome match Novak/Meddy!…Definitely an epic!
Congrats to both for entertaining us with their amazing tennis!
But i think Spain/Australia is going to be a 5 star match too!…C’mon Rafa!!…
$10M on Bautista Agut to beat Kyrgios @ 2.65
Bookies must be on drugs to have Kyrgios as a strong fav against the quality of RBA.
At 31 years, RBA could do something special this year. Knows he can beat everyone except Nadal due to match up.
You’re right on the money!