2021 Paris Masters Final – Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev on and what time does it start? Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev will take place on Sunday 7th November, 2021 – not before 14:00 (UK)
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev taking place? Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev will take place at the Accor Arena in Paris, France
What surface is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev being played on? Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev on? Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev will be televised on the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev live via their platform. Subscribers of Tennis TV can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
World number one Novak Djokovic will remain that way for a record-extending seventh year, surpassing his childhood idol Pete Sampras. The 34-year-old dropped the first set of his Paris Masters semi-final to an inspired Hubert Hurkacz but a second-set bagel and deciding tiebreak is symptomatic of how the Serb tends to win these days; on the back foot. His Roland-Garros victory from two sets down over Stefanos Tsitsipas is testament to that, as well as his Wimbledon win over Matteo Berrettini from a set down. Djokovic is a five-time former Paris Masters champion who can extend another record if he wins on Sunday, surpassing Rafael Nadal’s 36 Masters titles.
World number two Daniil Medvedev was exceptional in beating Alexander Zverev in straight sets on Saturday. The 25-year-old has dropped just one set this tournament to an improving Sebastian Korda in the round of 16 to set-up a rematch of the US Open final, where he beat Novak Djokovic in three dominative sets. Medvedev has four Masters titles so far and he is both the defending champion here and from the ATP Finals, where he will be the favourite to retain it if he maintains this current level.
THE PREDICTION
The US Open final between world number one Novak Djokovic and number two Daniil Medvedev had so many more sub-plots than this rematch will in Paris. For one, Djokovic had looked physically and mentally drained throughout the campaign as he chased a second Calendar Grand Slam. He had not looked the same player since missing out on a Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games and Medvedev’s three-set masterclass in New York was too much pressure too soon. More and more these days if a player can attack early and consistently Djokovic struggles to reach his best form until at least a set has been and gone. Medvedev played Alexander Zverev in the same way on Saturday, closing down any opportunities for the German early and efficiently.
However, with the pressure off Djokovic and the year-end number one record finally acquired this should be an altogether more competitive final – especially with revenge in the Serb’s sights. The two get on well on and off the court but a 5-4 head-to-head record in favour of Djokovic is likely to favour Medvedev by the time they play their last match together. Medvedev has won four of the last six meetings with Djokovic and last season’s straight-sets win at the ATP Finals for the Russian is the benchmark for what could happen here in similar conditions that suit his game. It would be a surprise to see Djokovic lose in two again, though, after his impressive battle against Hurkacz and so both players to take a set seems the reasonable alternative to picking a result here. If pushed, Medvedev levelling their head-to-head is fractionally more likely than Djokovic taking two sets off this punishing Russian in these conditions.
