By Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev will soon be crowned world number one after Novak Djokovic was defeated in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship by Jiri Vesely.
Djokovic, who recently returned to action after being denied entry into Australia to compete in the Australian Open over his refusal to take the covid-19 vaccination, lost 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to the 123 ranked Czech’s Vesely.
As a resultant effect of Djokovic’s inability to dislodge Vesely in the quarter-finals, Medvedev will be crowned the new world men’s champion on Monday in the next ATP men’s ranking.
The amazed Vesely after the win against the Serb explained that his victory was unexpected because he never saw himself dislodging the tennis idol whatsoever in the contest.
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He said, “I never thought I would really have a chance against Novak.
“It’s an amazing feeling. He is one of the greatest of all time if not the best,” he added.
However, with the rise of Russia’s Medvedev into the number one spot on the ATP’s ranking, he becomes the first player in 18 years to attain this feat excluding the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Djokovic.
The victory of the Czech Republic player is his second against the Serb who had earlier in 2016 defeated Djokovic on the clay of Monte Carlo.
Djokovic has held the top spot of the ATP men’s ranking for a total of 361 weeks.
Vesely will now play Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the semifinals on Friday.
