By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, October 8, 2022
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Astana final when Daniil Medvedev retired with a leg injury after the Serbian won a dramatic second-set tiebreaker.
Photo credit: Getty
Exchanges reached exhilarating heights in Astana today.
A blockbuster showdown between former world No. 1 champions Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev matched the hype—then injury halted a superb semifinal.
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The fourth-seeded Djokovic advanced to the Astana final when the second-seeded Medvedev retired with a leg injury after the Serbian won a dramatic second-set tiebreaker 7-6(6).
Ultimately, Djokovic advanced to tomorrow's final 4-6, 7-6(6) on retirement due to an apparent adductor injury.
It is Djokovic's eighth straight win and sends him into his 128th career final a week after he won his 89th championship with a commnading performance in Tel Aviv. In a mind-blowing stat, Djokovic has now reached finals in 22 different countries as he plays for a 90th career crown, including his fourth tournament title of the year.
Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rematch of the 2021 Roland Garros final that saw Djokovic stage a rousing rally from two sets down.
In today's first semifinal, the third-seeded Tsitsipas rallied past fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his sixth final of the season and 23rd career final.
It's certainly not the way Djokovic wanted to advance to the final as injury halted a riveting match that engaged fans.
“I really hope that his injury is nothing too serious,” Djokovic said. “I know Daniil, he’s a great guy, he’s a fighter, he’s a big competitor. He wouldn’t retire a match if he didn’t feel that he can continue or worsen his injury.
"He told me that he pulled an adductor muscle in his leg."
This rematch of the 2021 US Open final featured physical rallies, changes in rhythm and some net rushes from Djokovic, who reached his fifth final of the season improving to 7-4 against Medvedev.
Afterward, Djokovic said the second seed had the edge for stretches of the match.
"It was such a close match, particularly in the second set. I would probably say he was a better player on the court in both sets," Djokovic said. "I was fighting and trying to find a way.
"I found a way to win the second, but I’m just sad for the tournament and for these people who were enjoying the battle, and for Daniil that it had to end this way.”
Pressing the attack early, Djokovic botched a backhand volley into net then scattered a crosscourt backhand wide ceding the opening break in the fifth game.
Resetting, Djokovic patiently probed the corners, mixed in some low slice backhands to deny Medvedev pace then pounced on a mid-court forehand as he broke back to level after six games.
Quick off the mark, Medvedev read the Djokovic drop shot, raced up to the ball and rifled a backhand breaking for the second time in succession for a 4-3 lead.
Medvedev won eight of the last 10 points played on his serve to build a one-set lead.
Denting Medvedev's defenses was like playing against a moveable wall. Djokovic played the drop shot throughout the match trying to drag the tallest world No. 1 in history forward to the front court where he's not as comfortable.
Djokovic delivered dazzle and some superb touch in the latter stages of the second set to level.
A scrambling Djokovic sped up to a Medvedev drop shot and flicked back a return. Medvedev's loopy forehand landed long and then the Russian slowly paced to net, explained his injury issue to Djokovic and shook hands with the surprised Serbian.