Daniil Medvedev will become world’s top-ranked tennis player after Novak Djokovic loss in Dubai

ATP TOUR NEWS: World No. 123 Czech Jiri Vesely upset top seed Novak Djokovic in the Dubai quarter-finals Thursday, guaranteeing that the Serb will cede the No. 1 ATP Ranking to Daniil Medvedev on Monday.

After Medvedev reached the quarter-finals at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC on Wednesday, Djokovic knew he had to advance into the last four at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships if he wanted to continue his bid to remain atop tennis’ mountain.

However, the 34-year-old came up against an inspired Vesely, who played aggressively throughout to stun Djokovic 6-4, 7-6(4) in one hour and 57 minutes.

“It is an amazing feeling,” Vesely said in his on-court interview. “I never really thought I would have a chance against Novak. He is one of the greatest of all time. After the past 12 months, it is unbelievable. I have so many emotions inside. It is hard to describe. It is an amazing feeling.”

On Monday, Medvedev will become the third Russian man to reach No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, joining Yevgeny Kafelnikov (1999) and Marat Safin (2000-01). The 25-year-old will also join Andy Murray (2016) as the only first-time World No. 1 since Djokovic first reached top spot in July 2011.

The last player outside of the Big Four of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Murray and Rafael Nadal who has held No. 1 was Andy Roddick on February.

“It is great for tennis to have someone new at World No. 1,” Vesely added. “Novak is such a champion, he has been No. 1 for 361 weeks, but tennis needs new World No. 1s and there is a new generation coming up and I think it is great.”