Rod Laver Arena will play host to Sunday's Australian Open Mens 2021 game between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev. The game kicks off at 7:30 pm with Novak Djokovic heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday February 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm

Where: Rod Laver Arena

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Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev Odds

Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev Preview

Eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic lines up against a tyro vying for his maiden Grand Slam title, in what shapes as a fascinating 2021 men’s final.

Fourth Daniil Medvedev has cut a devastating path through to the decider. Aside from a shaky five-set win over 28th seed Filip Krajinovic in the third round, the 25-year-old has not dropped a set and has looked almost unbeatable.

The unorthodox, 1.98m Medvedev crushed compatriot and seventh seed Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-3 6-2 in the quarters. He was similarly convincing in sweeping aside fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-2 7-5 in the semis. Medvedev has dropped just eight service games across the tournament, slamming down 73 aces – including 17 in the semi.

Medvedev reached the 2019 US Open final, gallantly losing to Rafael Nadal in five sets. He made the semis at Flushing Meadows last year but had not been past the fourth round of another major – until now.

‘Joker’ fights back off the ropes

Djokovic’s campaign has been a rollercoaster, hampered by an abdominal strain – the severity of which has come under plenty of scrutiny and scepticism.

The injury flared up during a gruelling five-set examination against 27th seed Taylor Fritz in the third round. Djokovic subsequently rallied with hard-fought four-set wins over 14th seed Milos Raonic and sixth seed Alexander Zverev.

But the top seed looked unencumbered as he halted qualifier Aslan Karatsev’s fairytale in the semis with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win.

Djokovic is 17-10 in Grand Slam finals, but he has won all eight Australian Open deciders he has contested. The 2019-20 Australian Open champ’s only loss in his last six major finals was against Rafael Nadal at last year’s French Open.

Big guns hold no fears for Medvedev

Djokovic leads the head-to-head tally 4-3 but Medvedev has had the wood on the world No.1 recently. Medvedev has won three of the four encounters since Djokovic’s four-set fourth-round victory at the 2019 Australian Open.

The Russian grabbed three-set wins at the Monte Carlo Masters and Cincinnati Masters in 2019, while he smoked Djokovic 6-3 6-3 during the ATP Finals late last year.

Djokovic is the narrow $1.85 favourite here – a reflection of his at-times shaky fortnight and Medvedev’s blistering form.

It’s counterintuitive to back against Djokovic at a Grand Slam, particularly in a final – and especially in an Australian Open final. He invariably finds a way. Meanwhile, the ‘Big 3’ has won 14 of the last 15 majors, with Stan Wawrinka the only player outside that group to win a final against Djokovic, Federer or Nadal since 2013. But Medvedev has the attributes necessary to unsettle Djokovic, boasts 12 straight wins over top-10 opposition and is primed to signal a changing of the guard.

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Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev Tip