Novak Djokovic in Brisbane, Rafael Nadal in Perth as ATP Cup draw made

The championship will take place from January 3-12 in the lead-up to the year's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Legends feel their years

A generational shift is looking inevitable as tennis, accustomed to the performance of the legends, prepares to celebrate its youth.

Djokovic, who needed treatment throughout his second-round triumph, skipped practice Thursday in favour of shoulder treatment.

The year’s final Grand Slam showdown starts Monday on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts with top-ranked.

Djokovic will start his campaign against Roberto Carballes Baena, while Federer will play Australian John Millman.

Djokovic heads the men's field with Spain's Rafael Nadal seeded second. In the women's draw, Osaka is ranked no 1 Serena Williams is no 8.

Djokovic was on a roll until Cincinnati, having won three titles, including two Grand Slams, on three different surfaces this year.

Medvedev's upset win on Saturday sent him into a title showdown with another unexpected finalist, 16th-seeded Belgian David Goffin.

It took Djokovic nearly an hour to prevail in the first set but he closed out a one-sided tiebreak with a deft backhand passing shot.

Serena withdraws from Cincinnati.