2021 Australian Open...ATP 2000...Melbourne, Australia

[stroke]

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/30932061/australian-open-2021-our-experts-preview-novak-djokovic-daniil-medvedev-men-final

[stotty]

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/...edev-men-final

I think McEnroe might be on the money.

[stroke]

Novak has not come out in a mood. He is in early clinical mode with an early break. Up 3-0 in first set.

[stroke]

Medvedev breaks back. Both players totally engaged. This is what we had all hoped for so far.

[don_budge]

I think that the pressure is squarely on Djokovic. It's early. But the younger legs might be a factor here as Medvedev seems to have an angle on moving Djokovic.

[don_budge]

I think that the pressure is squarely on Djokovic. It's early. But the younger legs might be a factor here as Medvedev seems to have an angle on moving Djokovic.

...and if this is the case then the quicker court is going to favour Mr. Pencil with the flatter ground strokes. Federer was able to exploit this against Djokovic somewhat, particularly after he switched racquets.

[glacierguy]

Kind of working for now, but if Djokovic keeps baling out of long rallies with his drop shot, I think Medvedev will work it out and make him suffer.

[stroke]

Kind of working for now, but if Djokovic keeps baling out of long rallies with his drop shot, I think Medvedev will work it out and make him suffer.

I think like McEnroe said, that drop shot in part of Novak's strategy, but a fine line there no doubt.

[don_budge]

Kind of working for now, but if Djokovic keeps baling out of long rallies with his drop shot, I think Medvedev will work it out and make him suffer.

Interesting...if he is bailing it is a good sign for Medvedev. The first set is a must for Djokovic. If it is a tie-break...crucial for Novak. It looks to me as if Medvedev is putting more pressure on. Novak is not to be trusted though. He has the ability to appear vulnerable and then come out swinging.

[stotty]

Brilliant first set by Novak. No rope-a-doping today. As stroke said, totally engaged.

[stotty]

Novak has been hitting a stunning length and his level of aggression is just right.

[glacierguy]

He has the ability to appear vulnerable and then come out swinging.

Tell me about it! That Fritz match drove me nuts - I kept shouting at the TV "he's faking it!!!" "AGAIN!!!!"

[stroke]

Perfect 1st set for Novak. A couple of notes: Novak's return of serve is just the best ever, as we all know. Novak is dictating more often than not vs the one guy here who can truly rally and hang in with him on extended rallies. And Novak simply has better athletic foundation/posture striking the ball off both sides. Medvedev is not going anywhere though. He needs to really extend Novak every set as DB mentioned, and see if his younger legs can become a factor, see if he can get him deep in 4th or 5th set.

[don_budge]

Excellent work by Djokovic. Shifting the pressure back on to Medvedev. Ebb and flow.

[stroke]

Stunning rallies. Novak really stalking the baseline. Squeezing hard. Medvedev is truly getting the test here.