Djokovic’s 20-match win streak ends with Medvedev defeat

AFP-NovakDjokovic’s 20-match win streak and perfectstartto2023cameto an end on Friday when Daniil Medvedev won their Dubai Championship semifinalinstraightsets.

Medvedevcamethrough 6-4, 6-4 and will face Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev, the defending champion, in yesterday’s final. World number one

Djokovic had been undefeated since claiming the season-ending ATP FinalsinNovember

Hethenwentontoclinch theAdelaidetitleanda10th Australian Open for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown

However,Medvedevisalsoon ahotstreakandarrivedinthe Gulf with titles in Rotterdam andDoha.

Theworldnumberseven has now racked up 13 successive wins after claimingjusthisfifthvictory in 14 meetings against Djokovic.

The Serbian star had captured their last four meetings since the Russian ended his bid for a rare calendar Grand Slam at the 2021USOpenfinal.

OnFriday,the27-year-old Medvedev fired eight aces in his 27 winners Djokovic committed14unforcederrors, twiceasmanyashisopponent inthe95-minutesemi-final

Earlier, Rublev defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev for the first time in six meetings with a 6-3, 7-6 (11/9)victory