Daniil Medvedev was the only player to take a set off Novak Djokovic at this year’s Australian Open. The Russian did a lot more than that on Friday at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Medvedev upset Djokovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the first Masters 1000 semifinal of his career. Combined with the underdog’s impressive consistency from the back of the court, Djokovic turned in another underwhelming performance that has been the norm over that past two months–and it sent the top-seeded Serb packing after two hours and 20 minutes.
“It’s definitely the best match of my career,” Medvedev assured. “Not in terms of level of tennis, but definitely by the result. (It is my) first Masters 1000 semifinal, beating No. 1 for the first time in my life; just amazing.
“He played worse than he did the times before and also I’m getting more experienced. I’m starting to make these top guys know that it’s tough to play against me. In Australia he was at his best, but I made him run for the win and I was happy about my game. Here I knew if I kept up the level I had in Australia I would have my chances.”
The 23-year-old is up to 14th in the rankings and will likely climb to a career-high No. 12 if he wins his next match against fellow surprise semifinalist Dusan Lajovic. In an unexpected quarterfinal clash, Lajovic ended the run of qualifier Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5.
Rafael Nadal is now even more of a favorite to capture his 12th Monte-Carlo title, although his quarterfinal contest against unseeded Guido Pella was not exactly a cakewalk. Nadal dropped serve three times in the opening set and needed one hour and 22 minutes to win it before pulling away for a 7-6(1), 6-3 victory.
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didn’t see that one coming