Djokovic, Medvedev Into Paris Final Decider
Five-time former champion Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev are in a deciding set on Sunday in the Rolex Paris Masters final. World No. 1 Djokovic and No. 2-ranked Medvedev are level at 4-6, 6-3 in their third ATP Head2Head meeting of the year.
Djokovic is attempting to capture a record-breaking 37th ATP Masters 1000 title, while Medvedev is hoping to retain the indoor tournament crown ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin from 14-21 November.
It’s the first Paris final to feature the top two players in the FedEx ATP Rankings since Stefan Edberg played Boris Becker in the 1990 final.
In a hard-hitting and physical encounter, Djokovic struggled initially committing six unforced errors in the first two games, but settled and won the next three games. Medvedev’s consistently, which had made him a contender for year-end No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings this season, was in evidence with his athleticism around the court. The Russian chased down a drop shot to break for a 4-3 advantage and later closed out the first set, before Djokovic gained the momentum.
In striking his backhand down the line, the World No. 1 avoided the backhand-to-backhand exchanges of the US Open final, which Medvedev won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. After a series of brutal rallies in the fourth game of the second set, the Serbian grew in confidence and continued to mix up his game. At 5-3, Djokovic saved three break points with forays to the net and completed a 16-point game with an ace to take their 10th ATP Head2Head meeting match to a decider.