champion djokovic

Picture Credit: Twitter

Djokovic lifts it for the third straight time.

Presentation time!

Champion Novak Djokovic: "I would like to return nice words to Daniil. You're a class act and a great person. We used to spend more time together and practise together.

You've not called me that much over the last two years. It was nice to see you were thinking good things about me,

I really like him as a person off the court. On the court, he's definitely one of the toughest players I ever faced in my life. It's a matter of time that you will hold a Grand Slam for sure.

"It has been a rollercoaster week for me. I am eternally grateful to my team for all their support and energy. I love you guys.

There are a lot of mixed feeling about what has happened in the last month or so with tennis palyers coming to Australia but I think when we draw a line at the end it was a succesful tournament.

"It wasn't easy but I think they should be proud of themseves for what they have put together and allowed us to come here.

"Rod Laver Arena, I love you each year more and more. The love affair keeps going. Thank you so much."

Runner-up Daniil Medvedev: "Never easy to speak when you just lost a Grand Slam final, but I'll do my best!

Congrats to Novak. Nine Slams in Australia is amazing and this won't be your last one. Just to tell you a small stoy, I first met Novak when I was 500 or 600 in the world. I thought OK, he's not going to speak to me, becuse he was world number one.

I was really shy. He was talking to me like I was a friend. He's never changed - he's always been a great sport and a great friend."

Thanks to my wife and coach. It was not the best day today but thank you for being here with me for such a long time.

"Last but not least I would like to thank you guys for inviting us here. I really wanted to make this match longer and more entertaining for you, but today was not the day. Thank you for coming and supporting me."

Novak Djokovic is the Australian Open champion for the NINTH TIME!

Achieved in utterly dominant fashion

The world No 1 beats Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to win his 18th GRAND SLAM TITLE

Game, set and match - Djokovic

Medvedev fights back to 30-30. But he fires his forehand wide and it is a match point for Djoker. Medvedev then misses another cross-court shot.

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 5-2 Medvedev: Djokovic a game away

Another big point from Djokovic that gets his team and the crowd on their feet!

WHAT a shot that is from Djokovic! On full stretch, running forward and pulls off the most outrageous backhand volley, which slides over the net for a winner.

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 4-2 Medvedev: Medvedev holds

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 4-1 Medvedev: Just Two games away now from his 18th Major. The World No 1 is making it look very easy and he's helped by some unforced errors from Medvedev

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 3-1 Medvedev: Medvedev finally holds

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 3-0 Medvedev: Djokovic cruising to title

Medvedev is imploding here as he making unforced errors all over in a bid to end the points early. Djokovic looking in Complete Control here

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 2-0 Medvedev: DJOKOVIC BREAKS

From a lead of 40-30, Medvedev allows Djokovic to get back and break his serve.  Medvedev puts an easy volley into the net and Novak Djokovic breaks.

Third set, Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 1-0 Medvedev: Djokovic holds

Two double faults from Djokovic gives the Russian two break points but he cannot convert either. Daniil Medvedev needs to regroup because he hasn't been able to produce his best game when needed the most

SECOND SET, DJOKOVIC 7-5, 6-2 MEDVEDEV: The World No 1 is two sets up and this will take some coming back from Daniil Medvedev. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is on his way towards a record-extending ninth Australian Open title.

Second set, Djokovic 7-5, 5-2 Medvedev: Djokovic holds

Medvedev does well to come back from 15-40 down to force deuce but Djokovic produces some brilliant clutch-tennis and takes the game, thanks to a corker of a serve down the T.

Second set, Djokovic 7-5, 4-2 Medvedev: Medvedev holds

Uncharacteristic errors from Djokovic in that game, but he won't mind that too much

Second set, Djokovic 7-5, 3-1 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE!

Medvedev loosing some of his rhythm after a woman in the crowd decides to get her voice heard in the middle of a rally. Couple of errors from the Russian’s racket from 30-30 and Djokovic once takes the lead.

Second set, Djokovic 7-5, 2-1 Medvedev: Djokovic holds

Medvedev pushes Djokovic around the baseline and goes 15-30. But misses a forehand next point, then his backhand goes long. Some unforced errors from the Russian there and these missed opportunities could cost him the match.

Second set, Djokovic 7-5, 1-1 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE, AGAIN!

Another thunderous return of serve from Djokovic, followed by a powerful forehand, and Medvedev is unable to return cleanly.

Second set, Djokovic 7-5, 0-1 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE!

The Serb goes down 15-30, then 30-40. Steady play from Medvedev to keep the ball in play regularly and his hard-work gives him a break point. The Russian then converts it thanks to an error by Djokovic .

First set, Djokovic 7-5 Medvedev: NOVAK TAKES THE LEAD! Fabulous stuff from Djokovic

FIRST BLOOD, DJOKER! Novak Djokovic takes the opener as Daniil Medvedev sends a forehand into the net while being off-balance.

First set, Djokovic 6-5 Medvedev:

Djokovic fires in a couple of winners and he holds to love too.

First set tie-break, anyone?

First set, Djokovic 5-5 Medvedev: 

This is superb tennis from Medvedev as he fires in a superb cross-court forehand which takes him to 40-0, and manages to hold

First set, Djokovic 5-4 Medvedev

Excellent serving from Djokovic, keeping Medvedev rooted to the spot, and he races ahead to a hold.

First set, Djokovic 4-4 Medvedev: Medvedev holds

Medvedev shows good bit of net play and finishes off the point with a hard-hit smash. Medvedev then decides to end things with back-to-back aces

First set, Djokovic 4-3 Medvedev: Djokovic holds

Djokovic races to a 40-0 lead on his serve and then misses his forehand. Finishes the game with a glorious volley. Both players are in good form and the match is living up to its pre-match hype

First set, Djokovic 3-3 Medvedev

First set, Djokovic 3-2 Medvedev: Medvedev breaks back

Medvedev displays brilliant athleticism as he stretches left and right just to stay into the rally. 

First set, Djokovic 3-1 Medvedev: Medvedev getting pushed hard but the Russian just about manages to hold at 30 as an off-balance Djokovic pushes a shot just just long

First set, Djokovic 3-0 Medvedev

No messing around from Djokovic, the Serb looks in dominant mood as he hits an ace out wide wraps up a very, very quick hold to love.

First set, Djokovic 2-0 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE!

Daniil Medvedev wasn't broken in the first two sets against Stefanos Tsitsipas but here Djokovic has overpowered him

First set, Djokovic 1-0 Medvedev: Solid start from Djokovic as he races to 40-0

Djokovic then cracks down a serve out wide that Medvedev can't return.

Djokovic to serve..

The players are on the court! This promises to be a cracker, GET IN!

A reminder of the task facing Daniil Medvedev today:

Djokovic has won all eight finals he has played in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic may lead the head-to-head, but it's Daniil Medvedev who has won three of their past four meetings.

Daniil Medvedev on Novak Djokovic: "I know that to beat him you need to just show your best tennis, be at your best physically maybe four or five hours, and be at your best mentally maybe for five hours.

"When he's in the zone he doesn't miss. He goes down the line, cross, forehand, backhand, he doesn't miss. That's what is the most, the toughest part of playing against him."

Novak Djokovic on Daniil Medvedev: "He has a big serve. For a tall guy, he moves extremely well. Forehand maybe was his weaker shot, but he has improved that as well. Backhand is as good as it gets.

"He's so solid. He doesn't give you much. But he's not afraid nowadays to attack and get to the net and take it to his opponents."

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the men's singles final of the 2021 Australian Open! Eight-time champion Novak Djokovic takes on Daniil Medvedev, who will be hunting for his first Grand Slam.

Stay tuned for latest updates!

Medvedev's path to the final:

1st rd: bt Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4

2nd rd: bt Roberto Carballes (ESP) 6-2, 7-5, 6-1

3rd rd: bt Filip Krajinovic (SRB x28) 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-0

4th rd: bt Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 6-4, 6-2, 6-3

Quarter-final: bt Andrey Rublev (RUS x7) 7-5, 6-3, 6-2

Semi-final: bt Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) 6-4, 6-2, 7-5

Djokovic's route to the final:

Round one: def. Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-1 6-2

Round two: def. Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3

Round three: def. [27] Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2

Round four: def. [14] Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-1 6-4

Quarter-finals: def. [6] Alexander Zverev 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 6-4 7-6 (8-6)

Semi-finals: def. Aslan Karatsev 6-3 6-4 6-2

Head-to-head: Djokovic leads Medvedev by 4-3

2020 ATP Finals, London, round-robin: Medvedev bt Djokovic 6-3, 6-3

2020 ATP Cup, Sydney, semi-final: Djokovic bt Medvedev 6-1, 5-7, 6-4

2019 Cincinnati, semi-final: Medvedev bt Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

2019 Monaco, quarter-final: Medvedev bt Djokovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

2019 Australian Open, round of 16: Djokovic bt Medvedev 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3

2017 Eastbourne semi-final: Djokovic bt Medvedev 6-4, 6-4

2017 Davis Cup, World Group Round 1, Nis, Serbia: Djokovic bt Medvedev 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 ret

 

Australian Open 2021 Final: Men's Singles – Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev