DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Novak Djokovic will lose the No. 1 in the world to Dubai.
Djokovic lost a straight set 6-4, 7-6 (4) to Czech qualifier Jiri Veseli.
The Serb has been at the top of the ATP rankings since 3 February 2020. In addition, his 361 weeks at the top of the men’s tennis hierarchy represent the highest total in this respect since the introduction of the electronic ATP rankings in 1973.
On Monday, Medvedev will move from second to first and become the 27th man to hold the No. 1 ranking in the world.
He won the US Open last September and was a runner-up at the Australian Open in each of the last two tournaments.
He will also be the fifth player to hold the world number one title since February 1, 2004, after Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
“I think it is positive for tennis to have a new number one in the world,” Veseli said on the court after the match. Tennis needs, of course, young people number one. A new generation of gamers is coming. I think it’s just fantastic. »
It was Djokovic’s first tournament since he was sent off by Australia last month over his COVID-19 vaccination schedule. As he is not vaccinated, the 34-year-old failed to defend his title in Melbourne.
The Serb was trying to win the Dubai tournament for the sixth time in his career.
Medvedev is currently competing in the tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. He won the second round match on Wednesday.
After defeating Pablo Andujar, Medvedev acknowledged that becoming number one in the world would be “significant” for him.
Veseli, who is ranked 123rd in the world, took less than two hours to secure the second victory of his career over Djokovic. The Czechs also won in Monte Carlo in 2016 in their only other duel.
“I did not expect to win again,” Vesely said. He is such a champion. »
Veseli served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but was broken by Djokovic, who was firmly behind in the tiebreak.
Veseli made his victory a reality in his first match.
In the semifinals, the Czech will face the Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Shapovalov reached the semifinals 7-6 (4), 6-3 over Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis.
Vesely is a player who qualifies.
Shapovalov took the Berankis, 99th in the world, in one hour and 32 minutes.
Ontarios distinguished with 14 aces during the duel, while his opponent did not manage any.
It was the fourth duel of the two players. Shapovalov signed three victories.
“I saw his game (against Djokovic) and Jerry played extremely well. He is left-handed, like me, and has very good service. It will be a game where there will be a lot of aggressive exchanges. »
The other semifinal will be between the second Russian Andrey Rublev and the fifth Hubert Hurkacz from Poland.
Rublev defeated American Mackenzie MacDonald in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Hurkacz, meanwhile, defeated Italy’s Jannik Sinner in two identical sets 6-3, 6-3.
