Novak Djokovic achieves 20-match winning streak for 10th time in his career, sets Open Era record

Novak Djokovic continues to scale new milestones in what has been a memorable 2023 season. After opening the week as the first player - male or female - to be ranked the World No. 1 for 378 weeks, Djokovic achieved another record on Thursday (March 2).

The Super Serb beat Marseille winner Hubert Hurkacz in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarterfinals to extend his perfect start to the season to 15-0, having won the Adelaide 1 and Australian Open titles earlier in the season. That made him the first male player in the Open Era with 10 winning streaks of at least 20 matches, the longest of them being 41 at the start of the 2011 season.

Djokovic had closed the 2022 season with a record-equalling sixth title at the ATP Finals, winning five straight matches in Turin. He's now two wins away from a third title in 2023 and sixth in Dubai.

Earlier at the Australian Open, the 35-year-old dropped only one set en route a record-extending tenth title to draw level with Rafael Nadal (22) atop the all-time Grand Slam men's singles leaderboard.

The World No. 1 will take on the in-form Daniil Medvedev in a blockbuster semifinal on Friday (March 3) for a place in the title match at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

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"Obviously I know what to expect" - Novak Djokovic on facing Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev

Much like Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev has also been on a roll recently. Having won titles in Rotterdam and Doha, the former World No. 1 beat Borna Coric in the Dubai quarterfinals for his 12th straight win.

However, he faces a tough test against Novak Djokovic, who hasn't lost in 15 matches this year. Nevertheless, the Serb knows the challenge Medvedev poses, having had some great battles with the 2021 US Open champion.

Medvedev notably denied Djokovic a slice of tennis history by beating him in the 2021 US Open final. That thwarted the Serb's bid to become the first male player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the calendar year Grand Slam.

Understandably, Djokovic is not taking anything for granted against one of the tour's in-form players, saying in his press conference:

"We played each other quite a few times. If I get to face him, obviously I know what to expect. I've been watching him play. He's on the roll, winning tournaments, one or more tournaments before Dubai, I'm not sure. But he's had a great run. I haven't had a bad run myself, so I think we're both in great form and hopefully can have a good match."

Novak Djokovic leads the pair's H2H 9-4, having won their last four matches since the 2021 US Open title match.