Daniil Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open. It was also the Russian star’s first Grand Slam title.He won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday
Daniil Medvedev shattered Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam dreams with a straight sets victory in the US Open final here on Sunday, denying the world number one a record 21st major men’s singles title. Russia’s second-ranked Medvedev defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to halt the first calendar-year Grand Slam since 1969, and Djokovic along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the career Slam title list. placed on top. “Sorry to your fans and Novak because we all know what he was going for,” Medvedev said.
“What you have achieved in your career… To me, you are the greatest tennis player in history.”
2019 US Open runner-up Medvedev won his first Grand Slam title in his third Slam final, a rematch of February’s Australian Open final, the 34-year-old Serbian won in straight sets and began his Slam quest.
Djokovic said, “Congratulations Daniel. Amazing match.” “If there’s anyone who deserves a Grand Slam title right now, it’s you.”
Djokovic’s bid to sweep the US, French and Australian Open and Wimbledon fell at the last hurdle for the first time since Rod Laver did so 52 years ago, with 83-year-old Australian legend Laver watching Arthur Ashe among 23,700. Stadium.
Djokovic missed out on his fourth US Open title and is linked with “Big Three” rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2022, both absent with injuries, an all-time record 20 men’s Slam titles.
A weeping Djokovic paid tribute to the crowd that roared in support for him, even as all lost by two sets and two breaks.
“Even though I haven’t won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I am the happiest because you guys have made me feel special on the court,” Djokovic said.
“You guys touch my soul. I’ve never felt like this in New York.”
Instead of joining Amar Laver and Don Buzz, who completed the first men’s slam in 1938, Djokovic became the third man to fall in the final match attempting to complete the slam, after Australian Jack Crawford in 1933 and Lew Hoad in 1956.
Djokovic saw his 27-match Slam winning streak halt the record just three shy of the one he had in 2015 and 2016, when he won four consecutive Slams, ending with the 2016 French Open.
The 25-year-old Medvedev became the third Russian man to win a Grand Slam title after Yevgeny Kafelnikov at the 1996 French Open and 1999 Australian Open and 2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open.
In the biggest 1,176 matches of Djokovic’s career, he made two unexpected forehand errors in the first game to break Medvedev, who never hit a break point, to take the first set in 36 minutes.
It was the fifth consecutive match in which Djokovic lost the first set.
Medvedev dropped only three points on his serve in the first set but lost several points in the second set to open his first service game.
However, Djokovic squandered his break opportunities and Medvedev went 1-1 up.
In the fourth game, Medvedev hit a backhand wide to give Djokovic a break but he netted a forehand volley.
After dodging a forehand at the following point, Djokovic shattered his racket and sent a backhand on the next to hold Medvedev 2-2.
In the fifth game, Djokovic wronged a backhand volley to give Medvedev the break and a 3–2 lead, and the Russian was captured three times to claim the set.
Medvedev started the third set and resumed in the third game when a poor volley signaled the end of the slam chase.
Djokovic made love in the fifth game but Medvedev again won 5–1 and worked for the match in the eighth game.
Medvedev double faulted at championship point and then a forehand surrendered a break that kept Djokovic in the match.
Serving again for the match at 5–4, Medvedev double-faulted on his second match point, but eventually crossed the line on his third chance with the service winner after two hours and 16 minutes.