Novak Djokovic does not need to be introduced, but his opponent in the Australian Championship final is definitely yes: 20 consecutive victories, including all those ranked in the top 10, and the possibility of entering an exclusive club that for 16 years was reserved for only four purple individuals • Danil Medvedev attacks Grand Slam Second in his career
Djokovic and Medvedev.
Who will win Melbourne?
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Danil Medvedev collects wins like people collect cards.
And now, he's missing only that of Roger Federer.
After defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Championship semi-finals, the Russian completed a streak of 20 victories that stretched since November and includes victories over the entire top ten in the world.
On everyone except the injured Swiss who is unattainable.
"Too bad Roger is not playing," Medvedev referred to the bloated collection, "I would be very happy to play against him. I'm not trying to imply anything," he added with a sly smile, "I just wanted to face him."
In the final in Melbourne, Medvedev will have to "make do" with Novak Djokovic.
Although the Serb has already entered the Russian's collection when he lost to him at the end of the year tournament in London, this time the class is more important and the prize bigger.
A victory will not only give Medvedev a second Grand Slam title of his career, but will also put him in the most closed club in the men's round.
For 791 weeks, which is 16 years, 2-1 places have been reserved for Rafael Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Andy Murray, and Medvedev will rise to second place in the world if he wins the title.
"He plays at a very high level," Nola said after the semi-final against Aslan Karatsav, "he is also in the midst of an incredible streak."
It is rare for the world number one and who has won the eight finals in Australia to say such a thing, but Medvedev's fitness is truly exceptional.
These are not just the 20 consecutive victories, but mostly the opponents, the tournaments and the period.
Medvedev has beaten 12 top-ten players 12 times in a row - some once and some three - and these victories have brought him wins in London, Paris and the ATP CUP tournament.
In the time of Corona and uncertainty, Medvedev's success became the most certain thing there is.
"It's hard to maintain momentum when flying from London to Australia these days," said the 25-year-old Russian, "so I'm glad I was able to maintain the level over time."
This streak is even more impressive in light of the fact that only six active tennis players have achieved more than 20 consecutive victories in their careers: the Big Four, Del Potro, and now Medvedev.
And yet, despite the sequence or perhaps because of it, the serial winner has been swallowed up in the plethora of headlines.
In the last two weeks there has been talk in Australia about everything from everything, but hardly about the man who plays marvelous tennis and "seems to be in control of all the secrets of the game", according to Tsitsipas, our victim in the semi-finals.
Therefore, if he becomes today (10:30) the first to beat Djokovic in the final in Melbourne, Medvedev will be the one who can not be ignored.
In fact, even if he loses, he already has really good cards.