On Sunday, Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his fourth US Open and 24th Grand Slam singles title, avenging his loss to the Russian in the final two years ago.
Djokovic, 36, won 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to become the Open era’s oldest men’s champion in New York and equal Margaret Court’s all-time record for most Grand Slam triumphs.
The Serbian is the first player to win three Grand Slam championships in the same season four times, capping his projected return to world number one inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Medvedev defeated Djokovic in the 2021 final in straight sets, preventing the Serbian from being the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in the same year.
Djokovic admits to feeling overwhelmed on that occasion, but he soon grabbed possession of Sunday’s championship match.
The second seed stormed out of the gate with a strong hold secured by consecutive aces and struck at the first opportunity, punishing Medvedev for a double-fault to break for a 2-0 lead.
Before Medvedev scored in the fourth game, he added a third ace to his lead.
Medvedev defeated Djokovic in the 2021 final in straight sets, preventing the Serbian from being the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in the same year.
Djokovic admits to feeling overwhelmed on that occasion, but he soon grabbed possession of Sunday’s championship match.
The second seed stormed out of the gate with a strong hold secured by consecutive aces and struck at the first opportunity, punishing Medvedev for a double-fault to break for a 2-0 lead.
Before Medvedev scored in the fourth game, he added a third ace to his lead.
He was able to hold, striking a sweeping volley to save break point as he secured a brave hold for 4-3 before ultimately questioning Djokovic.
The very next game, Medvedev, had his first break chance of the match, but Djokovic saved it with a superb scoop on the half-volley.
At 5-6, Djokovic faltered on his serve, double-faulting twice as Medvedev brought up set point. But Djokovic was ready when Medvedev went cross-court and volleyed to force a tie-break.
Medvedev appeared to have the momentum on his side after winning an incredible rally to lead 5-4, only for Djokovic to take the next three games, grabbing a long 104-minute second set and edging in on a historic victory.
After Medvedev suffered an unfortunate tumble early in the third set, Djokovic attempted to help him back up, but there was no such generosity when two break points came up soon after.
Medvedev sent a backhand long, giving Djokovic a 3-1 lead. He immediately returned the break, but Medvedev faltered again, and there was no mistake the second time around as Djokovic closed up the victory before the tears began to flow.
