ZCZC
BSP-04
TENNIS-ATP-WTA-USA-MEDVEDEV-DJOKOVIC
Medvedev shocks Djokovic to reach Cincinnati Masters final
CINCINNATI, Aug 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – World number one Novak Djokovic
crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters Sunday, beaten 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 by ninth-
seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
Medvedev, who now leads the ATP with 30 hardcourt wins this season, will
play for the title on Sunday against Belgium’s David Goffin, who defeated
France’s Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4.
Both defending champion Djokovic and Medvedev had reached the semi-finals
without dropping a set.
But it’s Medvedev who will be play his second Masters final in eight days,
after losing to Rafael Nadal in the Montreal title match on Sunday.
The week previously, the 23-year-old also played the Washington final,
losing to Nick Kyrgios.
Djokovic appeared to have the contest under control, but had no answer when
Medvedev stepped up the pressure in the second set. “I don’t know how I
turned it around, I was so tired after the first set and I thought I might
not be able to keep up the intensity,” Medvedev said. “But I had a momentum
chance in the second set and the crowd gave me energy.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0841 hrs