After Novak Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev to the title at US Open, Goran Ivanisevic gave his unfiltered opinion on the clash. He said Medvedev ‘gave’ Djokovic the first set, allowing him to run away with the match. The Russian could not break the eventual champion’s momentum after the first set as he wrapped it up in straight sets.
Ivanisevic discussed a specific instance of Medvedev slipping up, calling it a ‘gift’. He analyzed the match a bit and acknowledged that his protégé played great tennis in the face of physical struggles. However, he also mentioned Djokovic’s victory had an element of luck to it.
Daniil Medvedev gave Novak Djokovic a great start, believes Goran Ivanisevic
Djokovic got the best of Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to lift a record 24th Grand Slam title. He looked in control from the beginning as the latter was broken in the second game of the match. The Russian could seemingly do nothing right as his rival raced to a 0-40 breakpoint. Medvedev then hit a return beyond the baseline as the Serb won the game. He raced to a 3-0 lead to consolidate, ultimately winning the set 6-3. He did not let it slip thereafter despite some exhaustion in the second set.
In the post-match press conference, Ivanisevic said Djokovic got lucky because Medvedev gifted him the first set. He touched upon the World No.3 being broken in his first service game itself which gave the Serb a great start. The Croatian coach, however, admitted it’s not easy to face Medvedev since he plays a lot of difficult rallies.
“Yes, yes. He had a little luck, because Daniil gave him a first set. That break in the second game was, like, gift. With Daniil, you know, you have to always be careful. You know, he has these games. But it was a lot of rallies. A lot of tough points.”
It was not all smooth sailing for Djokovic, though. The four-time US Open winner struggled midway through the second set, clearly looking fatigued. He seemed to losing his control over the match but, aided by a bit of luck, bounced back to play some great tennis and win.
Djokovic overcame physical struggles to win a close second set
After a relatively easy first set, the second set proved to be a much tougher battle. After a long 31-shot rally, Djokovic went down on the court, visibly exhausted. At this point, the set hung in balance at 3-3 as the 2021 US Open champion threatened to claw his way back into the game. The Serb was not fully comfortable, repeatedly stretching his legs.
To overcome Medvedev’s tactics of playing long points and arduous rallies, Djokovic adopted the serve-and-volley and drop shots to close out points quickly. It did not pay off immediately as the set went into a tiebreak, but the new World no.1 ultimately triumphed. Coach Ivanisevic admitted that he thought his pupil was looking unwell, saying it was ‘amazing’ how he managed to win the second set. The Croat said Djokovic got a little lucky but acknowledged that the Serb played some great shots near the net.
“Then in the second set, actually, he was amazing how he won that set. You know, I thought was not looking well. He was little lucky with — I mean, not lucky. I don’t say “lucky.” He played some unbelievable shots actually in the end. Coming to the net. Some unbelievable volleys at the net. Set point for Medvedev. He read him well at the net.”
Djokovic fought his physical issues to save a set point. Winning the second set was crucial for him, otherwise Medvedev could possibly have staged a comeback given how fatigued the Serb was. Djokovic avoided a repeat of the 2021 final upset and got his revenge but won’t be stopping anytime soon.
