Djokovic defeats Medvedev, into Adelaide final despite injury

Novak Djokovic won against Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. He’ll face American Sebastian Korda for the title

Novak Djokovic in Adelaide (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

January 7, 2023

Serb Novak Djokovic, the top seed, won against Russian Daniil Medvedev, the No 3 seed, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final of the Adelaide International 1 at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre on Saturday.

Djokovic, ranked No 5, will play American Sebastian Korda next.

He had taken a medical time-out early in the match for what seemed to be an issue with his thigh.

But he reassured his fans afterwards that it was nothing too severe.

“Thankfully it was nothing too serious, if it was, I wouldn’t be able to continue. I had a medical time-out, some anti-inflammatories, and just settled in…I just kept the momentum going and didn’t allow him to break my serve.

“The longer the match went, the more my hamstring was warmer and bothering me less.”

Earlier in the tournament, the 35-year-old Serb defeated Frenchman Constant Lestienne (6-3, 6-2), Frenchman Quentin Halys (7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)) and Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 7 seed (6-3, 6-4).

Medvedev, ranked No 7, beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego (7-6 (6), 2-1 ret.), Serb Miomir Kecmanovic (6-0, 6-3) and No 8 seed Karen Khachanov (6-3, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the Adelaide 1 tournament.

Adelaide ATP250, other semi-final result (Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, hard, USD 642.735):