This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
Djokovic Falls to Medvedev in Cincinnati Masters ¶
On Saturday, Novak Djokovic faced a barrage from Daniil Medvedev that he had rarely encountered before, ultimately losing 3-6 6-3 6-3 in the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals.
Medvedev changed his approach midway through the second set, going for broke with nearly every shot, particularly on second serve. This new strategy overpowered the previously dominant Djokovic, changing the complexion of the match in an instant.
"I did not experience this too many times in my career that someone goes so big on second serves and just serves two first serves basically for an extended period of time," Djokovic told reporters.
Medvedev explained his decision to switch tactics, saying, "I was so tired in the first set and playing Novak, I thought I'm not going to be able to keep the intensity. Then there was one momentum change in the second and I just started playing unbelievable."
Medvedev added that it was par for the course to go for broke on his second serve when trailing in a match, saying, "I do it all the time when my second serve doesn’t work. Novak, he was destroying me on the second serve so at one moment, at three-all, love-30, I’m like ‘okay, what’s the matter.’"
Medvedev reeled off four successive points, including an ace on second serve, to hold and then broke Djokovic in the next game by ripping a winner down the line to seize the initiative.
Medvedev, who also beat Djokovic in April at Monte Carlo, will play Belgian David Goffin in the final on Sunday. It will be the third successive final for 23-year-old Medvedev, who lost to Nick Kyrgios in Washington and Rafa Nadal in Montreal.
Djokovic, meanwhile, will regroup for the U.S. Open starting on Monday week, and he did not sound particularly concerned by his latest defeat, preferring instead to heap praise on his opponent.
"He played amazing tennis from 4-3 in the second set. Not much that I could really do," Djokovic said. "He’s working his way to the top five (in the world). Today I did lose a tennis match, but I didn’t do too much wrong."
Belgian David Goffin, the 16th seeded player, beat France’s Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-4 in the other semi-final. Goffin said, "I’m really happy. I’ve played the best tennis here in the past few years… It’s a great moment for me."
