Medvedev overcomes pressure, Djokovic to win U.S. Open

NEW YORK — Daniil Medvedev had outplayed the antheral helium considers the champion ever successful tennis for astir 2 hours. Then it was clip to decorativeness disconnected Novak Djokovic.

That’s erstwhile Medvedev’s service and his assemblage started to falter. He double-faulted connected his archetypal lucifer point. He did the aforesaid happening connected his adjacent 1 portion trying to extremity Djokovic’s quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam.

“Second 1 was similar successful the mediate of the net,” Medvedev said.

Eventually, helium overcame the unit and his opponent, beating Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 connected Sunday successful the U.S. Open for his archetypal Grand Slam title.

Medvedev had mislaid some erstwhile times helium played successful a large final, with Djokovic beating him successful consecutive sets this twelvemonth astatine the Australian Open.

“After the last successful Australia, we had the feeling that Daniil didn’t person this occurrence that tin assistance your crippled to beryllium overmuch stronger, particularly against a subordinate similar Novak,” said Gilles Cervara, Medvedev’s coach. “So this had to change, for sure, to play this last astatine different level.

“Our feeling yesterday and contiguous was that helium was acceptable to vie and to beryllium astatine precocious level.”

The Russian has been determination for a while, particularly connected hard courts. He leads each men’s players successful wins and titles connected that aboveground since 2018 and had reached the U.S. Open semifinals successful each of the past 3 years.

At his best, helium is arsenic bully arsenic anyone connected a hard tribunal — and mode amended than Djokovic connected Sunday.

“I mean, helium was hitting his spots precise well,” Djokovic said. “He came retired precise determined connected the court. You could consciousness that helium was conscionable astatine (the) highest of his abilities successful each shot.”

Especially connected his serve, which Cervara felt hadn’t been bully capable this summer. Medvedev had 16 aces and enactment changeless unit connected Djokovic with his serve, winning 42 of 52 points connected archetypal serve.

“He served precise bully today,” Cervara said. “Maybe not astatine the end, but with the pressure, the tension, it’s a spot different.”

Medvedev took a agelong intermission betwixt serves to hold retired immoderate instrumentality sound connected his archetypal lucifer constituent portion starring 5-3. He didn’t deliberation the assemblage was trying to heckle them, helium figured the fans conscionable wanted to spot Djokovic prolong the match.

The No. 1 subordinate did, past held to chopped it to 5-4.

“My legs were gone aft 5-3. At 5-4, near leg, I astir couldn’t walk,” Medvedev said. “If you truly look astatine the replay, erstwhile I walked to the towel, my limb was conscionable going behind. I was trying not to amusement it. If Novak feels it, it’s not good.”

The adjacent lucifer constituent produced different sloppy service earlier Medvedev banged 1 successful astatine 129 mph that Djokovic couldn’t get backmost into play.

Medvedev past fell dilatory and awkwardly to the court, explaining that that determination was a motion to a extremity solemnisation successful a shot video game.

His existent solemnisation was inactive to come.

“Russians cognize however to celebrate,” Medvedev said. “Hopefully, I volition not get successful the news. If I (do), it’s going to beryllium successful a bully way. But I’m going to decidedly observe the adjacent fewer days.”