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Tennis – Adelaide International – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – January 7, 2023 Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts to an injury during his semi-final match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia REUTERS/Loren Elliott
ADELAIDE-Novak Djokovic overcame an injury scare midway through his match against Daniil Medvedev on Saturday to beat the Russian 6-3 6-4 and move into the Adelaide International 1 final, where he will face unseeded American Sebastian Korda.
In the Australian Open warm-up meeting between the two former world number 1s, it was 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic who got out of the blocks quickest as he raced to a 4-2 lead in the opening set.
Djokovic was in discomfort in the seventh game after straining his left hamstring while stretching to make a forehand, but he kept going and pulled off a superb lob before taking a medical break for treatment.
The 35-year-old Serb claimed the opening set and leveled the game at 3-3 in the next with blistering returns and smooth passes at the net, before Medvedev surrendered his serve with a double fault on break point.
Djokovic saved a break point with a 200kmh double serve before holding firm from there to seal a thrilling victory.
Tennis – Adelaide International – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – January 7, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Russia’s Daniil Medvedev after winning their semi-final match REUTERS/Loren Elliott
“Thankfully it’s nothing too serious,” Djokovic said of the injury in an on-court interview. “If that’s the case, I can’t continue. I took an anti-inflammatory (medication) and settled down.
“I tried to keep the momentum and not let him break my serve. That’s the key. Eventually, I’ll get my chance. As the match went on, the hamstring warmed up and it bothered me less.
“I hope tomorrow will be okay.”
The January 16-29 Australian Open will be without world number one Carlos Alcaraz following a leg injury and Melbourne Park organizers are sure to face a tense time after nine-time champion Djokovic caught his leg.
“… For me at this level, at this stage of my career and life after several years of professional tennis, every match counts and every match is a gift,” Djokovic said.
“I try to give my best and win everywhere.”
Next up for Djokovic was Korda, who entered the final after Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka retired with an injury at 7-6(5) 1-0.
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