Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW
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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
Alan
Roar Guru
Troicki's class proves decisive in the doubles as Serbia secure a tight straight sets win over Russia to complete a very memorable 3-0 clean sweep over Russia. Despite the scoreline, this tie was epic to say the least, as Dusan Lajovic and Novak Djokovic were forced to play at their best to get the better of rising Russian stars Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev this afternoon. The match between Medvedev and Djokovic in particular was an epic and i'm sure another chapter will be written between these two players at Melbourne Park. Coming up...Australia takes on Spain in a blockbuster evening session at the ATP Cup :)
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH SERBIA
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point now for Serbia...can they get the clean sweep???
Alan
Roar Guru
Great touch at the net from Troicki yet again and its 7-7 here!
Alan
Roar Guru
7-6 Russia another set point good serve
Alan
Roar Guru
6-6 now as Serbia fights back in a great rally.
Alan
Roar Guru
6-5 Russia...
Alan
Roar Guru
6-4 now as Cacic sends his forehand long. Russia with set points.
Alan
Roar Guru
5-4 now Russia as Troicki responds and gets the break back for Serbia.
Alan
Roar Guru
5-3 Russia set tiebreaker
Alan
Roar Guru
4-2 Russia as Gabashvili plays a clutch point to get the break back.
Alan
Roar Guru
3-2 Russia now as the Russians fail with the volley at the net.
Alan
Roar Guru
3-1 Russia set tiebreaker
Alan
Roar Guru
2-1 Russia set tiebreaker.
Alan
Roar Guru
1-1 now set tiebreak.
Alan
Roar Guru
Remember if Russia wins the set tiebreak, then we are off to a match tiebreaker, where the first team to reach 10 points and win by two games, wins the match.
Alan
Roar Guru
Russia leads 1-0 tiebreak
Alan
Roar Guru
Cacic with great play at the and Serbia holds and we ar off to the tiebreaker!
Alan
Roar Guru
Looks like another match tiebreaker coming up in the doubles...
Alan
Roar Guru
The Russians with a quality game and they lead 6-5 second set.