After going two points from the game in the tie-break, the Russian gave up due to an adductor injury which initially surprised the public and even his opponent.

He hinted that he could be sidelined for a month, which would cast a shadow over his possible appearance at the Turin Masters (November 13-20).

"It's the second time in my life that I have to give up like this because of a stretch," he said, adding that he "felt a strange + pop + on the second point of the tie-break".

"I first thought maybe it was a cramp but by the end of that point I was like no, it probably wasn't a cramp. And on that tie-break I I had the feeling that I could play five or ten points more, but not more," he continued.

"Playing one more set, yes, we can do that but then we risk missing probably half a season, instead of a month," he added.

Two intense sets

Medvedev's retirement ended a high-flying semi-final between the two men, which began with a spectacular first point won by Djokovic thanks to a perfect lob after a long rally.

Quickly broken by the Russian, Djokovic immediately reacted to unbreak, before Medvedev took control on the opposing service at 3 everywhere, and won the set helped by his powerful serve and his precise drop shots.

The 21 Grand Slam title-winning Serbian, who has missed a lot of competition this year due to his refusal to get a Covid-19 shot, had a resurgence in the second set, where he had no shots. break to save.

After having led 4 to 1 in the tie-break, "Djoko" was scared by seeing the Russian come back to 6 everywhere, but finally won the second set, Medvedev then giving up, to the greatest disappointment of the public who hoped attend a third set.

"It was a very tight match, especially in the second set," Djokovic said.

"I found a way to win the second set, but I'm just sad for the tournament, for the spectators who were enjoying this battle and for Daniil that it ended this way."

Novak Djokovic on October 8, 2022 in the semi-final of the Astana tournament against Daniil Medvedev.

"It was a very close match, especially in the second set", commented the Serb - AFP/Archives

Djokovic will seek to win his second tournament in a row after Tel Aviv on Sunday in the final against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, scorer of Andrey Rublev (9th) in the other semi-final 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Tsitsipas ended the course so far without fault of Rublev, who had not lost a set in Astana and had been expeditious against the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino (51st) in the quarter-finals (6-1, 6-2 ).

The Greek will play his sixth final of the season on Sunday, for two titles in Mallorca and Monte-Carlo.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, who eliminated Russian Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals of the Astana tournament on October 8, 2022, will play his sixth final of the season on Sunday, for two titles – AFP / Archives

For Djokovic, this will be the fifth final.

For now, the Serb has three titles (Rome, Wimbledon and Tel Aviv) and a lost final at home in Belgrade.

© 2022 AFP