Tennis genius, Novak Djokovic, beat fourth-ranked Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, February 21, to win his 18th career Grand Slam title.
Djokovic ranked No. 1 in the world, defeated Medvedev of Russia, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the Australian Open men’s singles final.
The first test came early for Medvedev, after Djokovic broke him in his first service game and cruised to a 3-0 lead.
But a game later, Medvedev outclassed him on a 28-shot rally that had both players moving from sideline to sideline to get his first chance to break opponent’s serve.
Minutes later it was 3-3.
Medvedev serving at 5-6 and down a point, he sent a forehand wide with Djokovic pushing to the net, and caught a bad break ticked the top of the net cord and gave Djokovic a sitter for an easy passing shot.
After prevailing in the first set, Djokovic lost his serve in the next game, but broke Medvedev three times in the second set.
On match point, Djokovic rose for a lob, stretched and whipped one last winner past Medvedev.
Knowing he had won, he collapsed on the court but rose quickly, pumping his arms at his box and the crowd.
In Djokovic’s extra-ordinary career he has made nine Australian Open finals and won each time, including in the last three years.
With this win, Djokovic is now just two behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the race to achieve the most major men’s singles titles in a career.
