The former Russian tennis world number one could not continue at the Astana Open in Kazakhstan
Novak Djokovic booked his place in the Astana Open final on Saturday after former US Open rival Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the semi-final with a leg injury.
Djokovic grabbed a tie-break in the second set to tie the game 4-6, 7-6(6), but Medvedev was unable to continue the showdown, which the ATP said was shaping up to be one of the best. matches of the year on the men’s circuit.
« At 1-0 in the tie-break of the second set, I felt a click in my left leg when I struck from the left in an open position », Medvedev explained to Championship in Russia.
“At first I thought it might be a cramp. After the point, I realized that was not the case. I immediately felt that I had pulled a muscle. I am dizzy, » Medvedev added.
“I really hope his injury is not too serious” said Djokovic.
“I know Daniil, he’s a great guy, he’s a fighter, he’s a great competitor. he would not retire [from] a match if he did not feel that he [could] continue or [if it wouldn’t] aggravate his injury. He told me he had stretched an adductor muscle in his leg.
« It was such a close game, especially in the second set. I would probably say he was a better player on the court in both sets. Djokovic admitted.
“I was fighting and trying to find a way. I found a way to win the second one, but I’m just sad for the tournament and for those people who were enjoying the battle, and for Daniil that it had to end this way.
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The eleventh meeting between Djokovic and Medvedev was their first in 2022, with Djokovic leading their series 6-4.
Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday as he seeks to become a back-to-back tournament champion and claim his 90th tour-level crown following his victory in Tel Aviv last weekend.
Tsitsipas, who beat Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the other semi-final, trails Djokovic 7-2 in their previous encounters.
