Novak Djokovic made it three wins from three within the round-robin stage of the ATP Finals as he battled to a hard-fought victory over Daniil Medvedev in Turin.
Djokovic was already assured to prime the group and play Taylor Fritz within the semi-finals on Saturday however he dug deep to keep away from defeat, finishing a 6-3 6-7 (5) 7-6 (2) victory in a match lasting over three hours.
The 35-year-old was clearly struggling bodily late within the second set and into the third and Medvedev served for the match at 5-4 within the decider, however Djokovic discovered a means again.
Djokovic has already crushed Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev within the group stage
“It is an enormous reduction,” stated Djokovic, chasing sixth title on the season-ending championship to match Roger Federer’s file. “Daniil and I had some battles up to now and I knew coming into the match as we speak it will be his final match of the season and he’s positively not going to wish to end the season with a loss.
“I began off properly, had probabilities within the second set, had break factors however he performed very properly in these decisive factors. He was enjoying actually fast. I did not really feel bodily properly within the third, struggled lots. It is a battle and it is a battle.
“With the ability to discover the final drop of power to come back again…at 4-5 (within the third set) I managed to learn his serve and anticipate properly and bought myself in an excellent place.”
Medvedev – who gained the title in 2020 and reached the ultimate once more final yr – leaves Turin having misplaced every of his three group matches in deciding tie-breaks, whereas Djokovic admitted the competition took lots out of him.
Daniil Medvedev finishes backside of the Inexperienced Group after a 3rd straight loss
“Properly, it was simply fatigue from a gruelling battle. That is all I can say. I imply, there was no sickness,” Djokovic advised reporters. “Everybody has a kind of days the place they wrestle extra bodily. For me that was as we speak.
“In fact, the opponent likes seeing you down, and he is attempting to dominate within the rallies, he is attempting to get the higher hand of the match, which was form of the state of affairs that was occurring as we speak.”
Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Russian Rublev afterward Friday, with the winner dealing with Norway’s Casper Ruud within the semis.
Within the doubles, Britain’s Neal Skupski and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof stored their semi-final hopes alive with victory over Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek however they want Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic to beat Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis to make the final 4.
