ATP Cup 2020 – Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev taking place? Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, Australia
When is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev on? Saturday 11th January, 2020 – not before 00:00 (UK)
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match via Amazon Prime Video
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev? https://www.atpcup.com/tickets
Who won the last meeting between Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev? Daniil Medvedev beat Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4
THE LOWDOWN
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- Novak Djokovic came back from a set down to beat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and seal the tie for Serbia after Dusan Lajovic dismantled an out-of-sorts Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first match.
- This will be an instant rematch of the Davis Cup quarter-final clash between Russia and Serbia, where Djokovic beat Karen Khachanov in Daniil Medvedev’s absence, though both teams are slightly stronger at the ATP Cup.
- Serbia’s second option Lajovic missed the Davis Cup but will provide a stern test for Karen Khachanov – who is the Russian number two here – while the tie will rest squarely on this blockbuster, where Djokovic leads the head-to-head with Medvedev 3-2.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
- Daniil Medvedev won a bad-tempered contest with Argenina’s Diego Schwartzman to reach the semi-finals of the ATP Cup, one better than Russia managed at the Davis Cup where they were knocked out by opponents here Russia in the deciding doubles.
- 23-year-old Medvedev has won all four of his singles matches so far but dropped his second set of the tournament to Schwartzman as he looked tetchy and, perhaps, unwell.
- That last win will see the Russian enter the Australian Open seeded as world number four when the rankings update and with that personal achievement sorted he can now focus on his performances as he gears up for a real tilt at that Grand Slam title.
THE PREDICTION
In what is unofficially the first 'top 4' battle at the ATP Cup, the recent history lies with Daniil Medvedev. The Russian superstar has beaten Novak Djokovic the last two times they have played, on clay at Monte-Carlo and in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup on a hard court, and this match-up looks like it could be a real battle in 2020. While we have not seen the best from both players at this tournament, we have seen flashes of their individual brilliance, but at this stage of the year the edge should fall on Djokovic’s side There’s no doubt, though, that this will be a lengthy fight and will probably need a deciding set, but Djokovic will most likely be playing to keep Serbia in the tie and that can motivate him to see it through.
This, in turn, should set-up an unmissable doubles decider between Russia and Serbia. Medvedev & Khachanov vs Djokovic and Victor Troicki. Russia came through this at the Davis Cup, and should do so again to reach the finals.
