Novak proves he is a master
NOVAK DJOKOVIC yesterday reached the final of the Aegon International at Eastbourne, justifying his gamble to play himself into form for Wimbledon on a fast, slick grass court.
Against the 21-yearold Russian Daniil Medvedev, who hit 25 aces during the week, Djokovic won 6-4, 6-4.
Medvedev is seen as one of the game’s stars of the future but Djokovic, nine years his senior, remained the master in control.
He built his game steadily on a surface that had been soaked by rain, muttering to himself, and even suffered the indignity of a full split slide along the baseline.
But great players can deal with the worst of situations and first the Serb blunted the power of his 6ft 6in opponent, then made passing him look easy.
Djokovic broke serve in the opening game, did it again for 5-4, and took just 42 minutes to win the set.
He took a 2-0 lead in the second set, missed a match point at 5-3, but put Medvedev out of his misery with shots that scorched past the young giant.
Djokovic said: “I could not be happier. This is the dream result for me.
“Now I can fight for the trophy.
“I have been taking it slowly, recalibrating my game, and things have gone very well for me.”
His coach Andre Agassi, watching on TV back home in Las Vegas, would have been delighted at the way Djokovic dealt with Medvedev’s powerful hitting.
Djokovic will now face Frenchman Gael Monfils today, who beat compatriot Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 last night.
Agassi will link up with Djokovic tomorrow to plan their Wimbledon strategy as the classy Serb bids for a fourth title.