Sunday, for the ninth time Djokovich outlasted his opponent, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev-no slouch of a player.
The following written content by Jon Wertheim
Somewhere there’s a zoom call without a party inadvertently muted. Somewhere there is a cat video that goes unviewed. Somewhere there is a rabbi who enjoys a lobster boil. But we’re not there yet. And similarly elusive: a figure who can beat Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open.
For the ninth time, Djokovic played in the final. For the ninth time he outlasted the opponent. Sunday it was Russia’s Daniil Medvedev—no slouch of a player—whom Djokovic dismantled with a seamless, almost flawless, victory inside Rod Laver Arena.
Here are three thoughts from Djokovic’s 7-5, 6-2, 6-2, takedown of Medvedev in the 2021 Australian Open men’s final.
Peak Djokovic
In many ways, this was peak Djokovic. He didn’t win with curlicues and dazzling shotmaking, so much as he humiliated and demoralized the opponent with precision, especially off the return of serve. With each serve that would have been an ace against other player, with each blazing stroke Djokovic returned liked Aaron Sorkin dialogue, Medvedev’s confidence molted away. In the end, Djokovic played on his terms and prevailed with one of his easiest matches.
Medvedev’s brilliance falters
At the 2019 U.S. Open, Medvedev acquitted himself well and played valiantly against Rafael Nadal in the final. He left with a smile. Not so much tonight in Melbourne. For six rounds—including straight set wins over Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas—Medvedev was brilliant. So much so, he was the oddsmakers’ favorite to take the title over Djokovic. In the final, though, the Russian played both loose points and tight points and never quite found his best level, including on his serve. The opponent, of course, had a lot to do with that. But for a player who’d beaten Djokovic three times, including their most recent encounter, Medvedev didn’t have it in his second Major final. And you suspect this makes for a bittersweet campaign. Still, Medvedev leaves with the No. 3 ranking. And the distinct impression he will one day win Majors. It would just help if the Big Three weren’t around. Read more Sports Illustrated.
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