Novak Djokovic clinched his fourth US Open trophy on Sunday with a 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 victory over Daniil Medvedev to get revenge for the 2021 final. The Serb continued to make history, this time becoming the first player in the Open Era to win 24 Grand Slam titles. It comes after Djokovic raised some concerns about his health when he fell on the court, momentarily struggled to breathe and continued to stretch in between games.
Djokovic and Medvedev were playing a rematch of the final two years ago, where it was the Russian who breezed through in straight sets to lift his maiden Grand Slam title. But the 36-year-old flipped the script as he arrived to a huge cheer on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The opening game set the tone for the type of match they were about to play – the first point was 19 shots long while the third was a 36-shot exchange. And Djokovic immediately took command, breaking his rival to love in Medvedev’s first service game.
The lengthy exchanges kept on coming, with a 36-shot rally – the longest in the men’s tournament this year – in the fifth game of the match. With the 2021 champion standing metres behind the baseline, Djokovic continued to toy with him and continued to find success with the serve-and-volley as he took the opener 6-3.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news
Just in Coco Gauff coach details how a champion was made after ‘100 texts’ showed flaw[LATEST]
There was some trouble halfway through the second when the 36-year-old looked as though he was struggling to breathe. With the third seed serving at 3-3, Djokovic fell down onto the court after another one of their lengthy exchanges. But he sprang back into life after facing a break point in the next game – Medvedev’s first of the match.
Djokovic waved his arms into the air as he saved it with a volley winner, holding in a 12-minute game. More flashes of brilliance were undercut by moments of concern as the world No 2 continued to bend over and stretch in between points. He saved another break point – this time a set point – to force a tiebreak.
After a monumental 105-minute set, it was Djokovic who took it 7-6(5) after going 1-3 down in the breaker as Medvedev received a visit from the physio. It was the Russian’s turn to take a tumble on court at 1-1 in the third as the second seed rushed over to check if he was alright before Medvedev waved him off.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Don’t miss…
Gauff shares plans for £2.4m US Open payday as teen shuts down ‘debt’ question[QUOTES]
Tennis star Fognini copies Djokovic in frustrated message to Davis Cup captain[RECAP]
Coco Gauff told how she will handle pressure of US Open win with Raducanu dig[EXPERT]
Djokovic pounced in the very next game, breaking as he began hurtling towards his 24th Major crown. But Medvedev picked the perfect time to break the Serb for the first time in the match, drawing level at 2-2.
It was short-lived as Djokovic – who returns to No 1 in the world on Monday – proved relentless and immediately regained his advantage. The Serb was two points away from the title with Medvedev serving at 2-5 but the third seed forced him to close it out by himself.
There were signs of nerves when he hit a double fault while serving for the trophy but Djokovic successfully secured his fourth US Open title – five years after winning his last. He ends the 2023 season with a 26-1 record in Grand Slam matches and stands alone with title wins at Majors in the Open Era.
Source: Read Full Article