Novak Djokovic’s 20-match winning streak came to an end on Friday when he was defeated 6-4 6-4 by Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final of the Dubai Championships. With the top-seeded player out of contention, the final will be contested between the third-seeded Medvedev and the defending champion, Andrey Rublev.
Following Friday’s victory, Medvedev will look to extend his own winning streak of 13 games; the second-longest of his career. A former ATP world number one, Medvedev has gotten his year off to a flying start, winning tournaments in Doha and Rotterdam.
Competing in only his third tournament of the year, Djokovic was looking to continue his winning ways after lifting the 2023 Australian Open trophy, which saw him equal Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 career Grand Slam titles.
Prior to his loss to Medvedev, the Serbian’s last loss came in November last year, when he fell to Holger Rune in the Paris Masters final.
In the other semi-final, Rublev won 6-3, 7-6 (9) against Alexander Zverev. “Today, when I was going on court, I was thinking I have nothing to lose. He always beat me, so why I need to be tight,” Rublev remarked after his victory.
Medvedev and Rublev will meet in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday.
