Serbia’s Medjedovic into final of ATP Next Gen Finals after Stricker quits due to injury

Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic, a protege of Novak Djokovic, advanced to the final of the ATP Next Gen Finals when his opponent, Dominic Stricker, retired early in the second set of their semi-final in Jeddah on Friday due to a back injury.

Medjedovic, who won his round-robin group, was leading 4-3 (5), 2-1, with a break of serve when Stricker, who had not shown any obvious signs of discomfort, said he could not play on.

Medjedovic will take on top seed Arthur Fils in the final on Saturday after the 19-year-old won the all-French battle with Luca van Assche in four sets.

“It’s a really bad way to finish the match,” Medjedovic said. “I hope he feels better, he’s a great guy, we were playing a really good match.

“We played a very long time ago in the juniors and I had to retire. Today he had to retire. This is why we never know what’s going to happen.”

Medjedovic is the first Serbian to make the final of the 21-and-under event while Fils is the first Frenchman to make the title showdown.

“It’s a big thing,” he said. “I’m a bit emotional. I didn’t expect to finish the match so soon, but I’m very happy to be in the finals and I can’t wait to play tomorrow.

Medjedovic takes first set on the tiebreak

Medjedovic has a massive serve and big forehand but it was a piece of touch that won him the opening set, a beautiful drop shot followed by a lovely backhand cross court for the pass.

The Serbian then broke in the third game of the second set to emphasise his advantage but it was a surprise when Stricker quit.

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