Novak’s revenge: Djokovic dethrones Medvedev in thriller to bag Paris Masters title in tussle of tennis top 2 in the world (VIDEO)
Novak Djokovic overcame losing the first set to beat defending champion Daniil Medvedev at the Paris Masters and go some way to avenging his US Open final defeat, winning a final lauded by viewers for the level of its quality.
In a hugely-anticipated final between the two best players in the world on form and ranking, Medvedev broke Djokovic early on his way to taking the first set 6-4.
That seemed to provoke brilliant Djokovic to raise his level, storming back to reply with a 6-3 second-set win.
The Serb saved three break points when he was 5-3 ahead during that set, noticeably mixing up his play.
Plenty of respect between Djokovic & Medvedev 🤝#RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/jGgs0ZNDCn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 7, 2021
82 players have played Novak Djokovic multiple times when he is ranked No.1.Out of those 82, Daniil Medvedev is the only one to have a winning H2H record against him!
— Adam_Addicott (@AdamAddicott) November 7, 2021
ONE set away from the title ☝️Medvedev 6-4 Djokovic. #RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/VPXV2Txe0j
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 7, 2021
A 16-point game ended with a Djokovic ace as he appeared to be growing in confidence in an ominous sign for his Russian opponent.
Despite breaking back after going 5-1 down in the third set, Medvedev could not repeat that feat in the remainder of the decider, succumbing 5-3.
This dropshot couldn’t be any better. #Medvedev#RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/oloEzrLvTd
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) November 7, 2021
GAME ON 🇷🇸@DjokerNole storms back to level up with Medvedev, 4-6 6-3!#RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/dq3JWuhPFS
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 7, 2021
🚨 ONE SET TO DECIDE IT ALL 🚨Djokovic 4-6, 6-3 Medvedev. #RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/teKMsutGQQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 7, 2021
The result continues a compelling battle for supremacy between the superstars which has now seen the identity of the winner change hands in each of their last six matches against each other.
Two of those matches have been Grand Slam finals this year: Djokovic won the Australian Open in straight sets before Medvedev repeated the trick on the man who is rapidly becoming his arch-rival at the US Open final.
Second set stats:🎾 Djokovic: 17 winners, 8 errors🎾 Medvedev: 14 winners, 7 errorsRidiculously high-quality from both men 👏 #RolexParisMasters
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 7, 2021
Serving out the set went a bit like this for Djokovic #RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/fTvmysAR4d
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) November 7, 2021
Watching Djokovic, well into his 30’s now, adding even more to his game to disrupt a player as good as Medvedev from the baseline, is something to behold. Djokovic breaks for 3-2 in the decider.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) November 7, 2021
That truly announced Medvedev as the likely successor to Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as the dominant modern player.
Djokovic won the tournament for a sixth time and recorded a record-breaking 37th ATP Masters 1000 title.
Incredible level from Djokovic & Medvedev in last game of 2nd set.The clinical Djokovic serve & volleys under pressure, and the way Medvedev turned points around in style. Only player right now who can repeatedly win Djoko's bread and butter points over Djokovic on hard-courts.
— Abigail Johnson (@abigailtennis) November 7, 2021
Djokovic strikes first 👊He breaks Medvedev & leads 3-2 in the final set. #RolexParisMasters
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 7, 2021
NOVAK-ATION FROM TITLETOWN 🏆🇷🇸The moment @DjokerNole won a record-breaking 37th Masters 1000 title vs Medvedev in Paris!#RolexParisMasterspic.twitter.com/m57J45xit8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 7, 2021
He has now won six of his ten ATP meetings with Medvedev, although it was only Djokovic's third victory in his seven most recent contests against the 25-year-old.
The showdown represented the first Paris final to feature the top two players in the ATP rankings since Swedish great Stefan Edberg played German icon Boris Becker in the 1990 final.
The next major event is the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, which run from November 14.
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