Updates: Djokovic Closes In On Ninth Melbourne Crown
Novak Djokovic has claimed the second set to take a 7-5, 6-2 lead against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday in the Australian Open final.
The World No. 1 won 80 per cent of second-serve return points (8/10) in the second set to move one set away from his ninth title at Melbourne Park. Djokovic is aiming to join 13-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal as only the second man to win nine or more titles at the same Grand Slam event.
The 33-year-old is also bidding to clinch his 18th Grand Slam title and narrow the gap on Big Three rivals Nadal and Roger Federer. Nadal and Federer both own a record 20 major crowns.
Djokovic made a fast start to his ninth championship match at Melbourne Park (8-0). The Serbian charged into a 3-0 lead in under 10 minutes, as he returned with depth and capitalised on three Medvedev forehand errors to break serve at 1-0. Despite an immediate response from his opponent, Djokovic rushed Medvedev at 6-5 with aggressive forehands and he landed a backhand passing shot winner up the line to earn three set points. The 17-time Grand Slam champion converted his third opportunity when Medvedev fired a forehand into the net.
After dropping serve in the opening game of the second set, Djokovic reeled off four straight games to take control of the championship match. The six-time year-end World No. 1 played with impeccable depth on his returns to extract errors and Medvedev began to misfire as he attempted to shorten rallies. Djokovic broke serve for the fifth time with a huge forehand return to clinch the second set.
Medvedev is attempting to capture his maiden Grand Slam crown. The reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion entered his second Grand Slam final on a 20-match winning streak, which dates back to the start of his title run at the Rolex Paris Masters last November. Medvedev has defeated 12 Top 10 players during his winning streak.
In Medvedev’s only previous Grand Slam final at the 2019 US Open, the Russian rallied from two sets down to force eventual champion Rafael Nadal to a fifth set. If he is to keep alive his title bid, he will need to repeat that feat in Melbourne.