Novak Djokovic won the US Open title for the fourth time in his career on Sunday night. The Serbian won in three sets (6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3) over Daniil Medvedev, whom he lost to in the 2021 final.
Djokovic dealt the biggest blow in the second set, surviving a set point and winning the set after a tie-break. In the third set he was never seriously shaken and finished the set after 3 hours and 17 minutes on his first match point.
In victory Straight sets Djokovic avenges loss in 2021 US Open final. At that time, he was able to win a Grand Slam (all four Grand Slams in one year) for the first time, but the pressure became too much for him: he lost in three tournaments. Sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-4).
With this win, the 36-year-old Djokovic replaces Australian Ken Rosewall as the oldest US Open winner in the Open Era. This brings his total to 24 Grand Slam titles. This puts him on par with Australian Margaret Court, who reached this number in 1973.
Djokovic is the record holder among men since he won Roland Garros this year and ousted Rafael Nadal (22). Djokovic also won the Australian Open this year, so he will end the season with three Grand Slam titles. He previously did so in 2011, 2015 and 2021.
Djokovic was not welcome in the United States last year
For Djokovic, the US Open title is not just revenge on Medvedev. For him, this also marks the end of the dream of his return to New York. Last year, Djokovic was not welcome in the United States because he had not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
With Medvedev, Djokovic did not meet his opponent in the final, which many tennis followers expected at the beginning of the tournament. Medvedev performed amazingly in the semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz, winner of the US Open title last year, in the absence of Djokovic.
Another trick was not possible for Medvedev against Djokovic. “Joker” made his intentions clear early in the match and immediately won Medvedev’s first service game without a point. This early serve was enough for him to win the set.
Djokovic wins the battle of attrition in the second set
In the second set, which lasted at least an hour and 45 minutes, beautiful, long exchanges of strokes followed each other in quick succession. The highlight was a 36-stroke rally in which the two finalists sent each other from corner to corner.
With a 6-5 lead, Medvedev earned a set point, but was unable to win the set. Djokovic searched for the net and the Russian was unable to pass it with his backhand. In the tiebreak, Djokovic came out on top, as has often happened this season.
Before the third set, Medvedev underwent treatment on his left shoulder. After the medical break, Djokovic took a 3-1 lead, and then dropped serve for the first time in a sloppy match.
Djokovic shouted angrily at the bench and trailed 30-0 in the next game. However, Medvedev played a modest four points and allowed Djokovic another break. This time the new world number one is no longer giving up the lead.
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