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2020 ATP Cup Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Dusan Lajovic vs Karen Khachanov |
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Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev |
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Doubles match |
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The first of two intriguing semifinal ties sees Serbia host Russia in the maiden ATP Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 11am (AEDT).
It is no surprise to see both Serbia and Russia in the semi-finals of the ATP Cup. Both teams possess players in great form, with all players bar one winning all their singles matches so far.
First up, Dusan Lajovic will play Russian big hitter Karen Khachanov. Both players are in good form, with Lajovic winning three of his four matches thus far, while Khachanov remains undefeated with four wins.
Lajovic is coming off his most impressive win of the tournament to date, beating the very talented Felix-Augur Aliassime in straight sets to give Serbia the lead over Canada. Khachanov meanwhile was solid in a straight sets win over Argentina’s Guido Pella.
Interestingly, Lajovic has won both matches he has played against Khachanov. To be fair though, the last meeting was in 2018 on the clay courts of Madrid. Before that, Lajovic defeated Khachanov in 2016 when the Russian was still finding his feet on the ATP tour.
Despite this, an upset is well on the cards here for Lajovic. The Serbian is in career best form and possesses the movement and groundstrokes necessary to ask the big hitting Khachanov plenty of questions.
In the other contest, a match-up worthy of a grand slam semi-final sees reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic play last year’s US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev. The pair have already met five times on tour, with Medvedev winning their last two matches in Masters 1000 events in 2019.
Medvedev also pushed Djokovic significantly at the 2019 Australian Open before losing in four sets. It was probably the toughest match Djokovic played en route to the title and Medvedev is a far better player than what he was a year ago.
The only part of Medvedev’s game that lets him down is his temperament, as seen in his three set win over Diego Schwartzman two nights ago. Medvedev was lucky not be punished with a default for twice hitting the umpire’s chair in a visible sign of frustration.
If Medvedev controls his temper, the Russian certainly has the firepower, particularly off the backhand wing, to give Djokovic a hell of a fight in a contest that should go to three sets.
In the doubles, Djokovic is more than capable of backing up, most likely partnering with Viktor Troicki. They have already won two matches playing together in the ATP Cup. Medvedev and Khachanov meanwhile have also won one out of two matches playing together at the ATP Cup. Experience could be a factor here and the Serbs just edge the Russians in that regard for doubles.
Prediction
This tie could go either way. Djokovic’s legendary resolve and quality could prove to be the difference but if the Serb is below 100 percent, the Russians certainly possess the quality to cause the upset and secure a maiden ATP Cup final birth.
Serbia to win 2-1
Time: 10.00am AEDT
Venue: Ken Rosewall Arena
Coverage: Channel Nine, 9Gem, 9Now
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