Medvedev praises Djokovic’s efforts – Taipei Times

• Reuters and AFP, MARSEILLE, France

Novak Djokovic is able to extending his report for holding the lads’s world No. 1 rating for many weeks to 400, mentioned Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who’s to climb as much as a career-best rating of second tomorrow.

The 33-year-old Djokovic, who gained his 18th Grand Slam on the Australian Open final month, eclipsed Roger Federer’s report on March 8, when he moved previous the Swiss to carry the highest rating for the 311th week.

“Initially, it’s an unbelievable achievement,” Medvedev mentioned after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP 250 occasion in Marseille on Friday. “I feel on the planet of tennis we speak about Grand Slams greater than the rest, however that is additionally a small competitors, I’m certain he’s actually joyful about it. The way in which he’s performed, he’s positively able to catching 400 weeks.”

Photograph: AP

“We’re going to attempt to not let him do that,” he mentioned. “I didn’t handle to do something within the Australian Open last, however that’s what sport is about. No one goes to provide him a straightforward move, he’s going to must earn it.”

On the courts, Greek world No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas noticed his hopes of a 3rd successive Marseille ATP title dashed by 93rd-ranked Pierre-Hugues Herbert within the quarter-finals.

Herbert, higher often known as a doubles specialist, swept previous Australian Open semi-finalist Tsitsipas 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-2.

The 29-year-old was to play fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who put out compatriot Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), with the semi-final to be performed after press time final evening.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s my first win in opposition to a top-five participant,” Herbert mentioned. “I knew that I’d must play an amazing match to win and that’s what I did.”

Medvedev gained 6-2, 6-4 in opposition to 19-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner and was to play Australian qualifier Mattew Ebden, who beat Karen Khachanov of Russia 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.