Google News Daniil Medvedev's coach: Bravo Novak Djokovic but we won final that had to be won
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 2176
Coach Gilles Cervara congratulated Novak Djokovic on winning the Paris Masters but jokingly suggested that he and Daniil Medvedev won the more important final. Medvedev, ranked at No. 2 in the world, saw off Djokovic in straight sets in the US Open final to lift his maiden Grand Slam crown.
On Sunday, Djokovic got his revenge over Medvedev as he beat the Russian 4-6 6-3 6-3 to win the Paris Masters. Cervara acknowledged that Djokovic played much better this time. "Bravo Novak," Cervara told L'Equipe. "I found him much stronger than in New York.
Fortunately, we won the final that had to be won (smiles)."
Djokovic didn't panic after falling down to Medvedev
Medvedev blew an early first set break but broke Djokovic again in the seventh game and held on to his serve the rest of the set to take the opener.
"Daniil did well in the 1st set because he saves two break points to 2-3 and raised his level to dominate Novak," Cervara said. "Novak seemed very relaxed, yes, but I'm never surprised with him." After losing the first set, Djokovic bounced back at the start of the second as he broke Medvedev in the fourth game.
Djokovic saved three break points while serving for the set in the ninth game. Djokovic dropped his serve once in the third set but earned three breaks to complete a comeback win. "I just think he (Novak Djokovic) felt dominated and that's a way to turn his back on what's happening," Cervara went on.
"Then get back from the beginning of the 2nd set. At the beginning of this phase, there was still an important moment that could have passed for Daniil. Same as the 3rd. I think he missed a little energy to be more accurate, trickier to hold even more against Novak at this level."