US Open final 2023 LIVE: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev result and reaction after record 24th grand slam
The 36-year-old Djokovic won his 24th major title against Medvedev to tie the all-time record with Margaret Court
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Novak Djokovic battled past Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 and into the tennis history books on Sunday, winning the U.S. Open to equal Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slams.
The victory, his fourth in 10 Flushing Meadows finals, capped another remarkable Grand Slam campaign for Djokovic with wins at the Australian, French and U.S. Opens and a return to the top of the world rankings when they are updated on Monday. The 36-year-old Serb becomes the oldest U.S. Open men’s winner in the Open Era and the first to win three Grand Slam events in a season for the fourth time. The win was also measure of revenge for Djokovic.
The second seed walked out on to a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday and stared across the net at Medvedev the man once again standing between him and history just as he had two years ago. The last time the two clashed at the U.S. Open was in the 2021 final, when the Russian captured his only major and denied the Serb a rare calendar Grand Slam. While Djokovic and Medvedev are intriguing figures, neither has been fully embraced by the New York crowds.
Certainly there was little of the electricity that crackled through Arthur Ashe during the women’s final on Saturday, with no clear support for either player from an attentive but subdued audience. As expected in a contest featuring the sport’s two premier hardcourt players, almost every point was contested with long rallies as both men pounded away at each other from the baseline. Djokovic came out playing with purpose and applied pressure right away breaking the third seed at the first opportunity on way to a 3-0 lead.
That would be the only break Djokovic would need against a surprisingly flat Medvedev who could not manufacture a single break chance in the first set. During a marathon one hour and 44 minute, lung-bursting second set Medvedev would find life forcing a tiring Djokovic into long grinding point, after grinding point. But the tireless Russian’s hard work would pay no dividends unable to convert any of his few break chances including one at 6-5 that would have given him the set.
Medvedev charged in front 3-1 of the tie-break but again could not land the knockout blow as Djokovic came off the ropes to take it 7-5 and a 2-0 lead. If there is one thing Djokovic possesses it is a killer instinct and the Serb wasted no time striking breaking Medvedev to go up 3-1 in the third. A defiant Medvedev answered with his first and only break of the match but it was not enough with Djokovic hitting right back with another break then holding serve the rest of way to clinch the title.
Relive all the action from the US Open men’s final and reaction as Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev.
US Open final: Djokovic *2-0 Medvedev
This has been a statement, Djokovic races to three break points and then Medvedev folds, it’s a break to love!
Stunning, and the worst possible start for the Russian.
The crowd roar in delight, Djokovic looks extremely focused.
US Open final: Djokovic 1-0* Medvedev
It’s a 19-shot rally to start!
So get the coffee or tea ready, we could be in for a late one tonight, the Serbian wins it, but this could be a theme!
Majestic hitting from both and Djokovic puts away a fine backhand winner to move to 30-15. This will be a real battle, that was 23 strokes.
US Open final: Djokovic v Medvedev
Here we go then, both Djokovic and Medvedev have finishes their warm-ups and return to their chairs...
Wheelchair triumph for Hewett
Some good news for British tennis fans as Hewett wins his fourth US Open wheelchair men’s singles title, triumphing over his doubles partner and fellow Brit, Gordon Reid, in the final:
Will history repeat itself?
Medvedev got the better of Djokovic back in 2021 to win his first Grand Slam however, it’s the Serbian who has the better in the head-to-head winning nine of the 14 matches the duo have contested.
Most recently, however, it was the Russian who prevailed, winning 6-4 6-4 in the semi-finals of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe win US Open women’s doubles title
US Open 2023 final: Medvedev expecting ‘different’ Djokovic
“I think the only way I can use [the 2021 final] is thinking that Novak, when he loses, he’s never the same after. He’s different. It’s just a different mentality,” Medvedev said.
“That’s why he has 23 Grand Slams, many Masters 1000s [titles] and weeks at number one,” he added.
“So I have to use it knowing that he’s going to be 10 times better than he was that day, and if I want to still beat him, I have to be 10 times better than I was that day. That’s what I’m going to try to do.
“Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”
Fabio Fognini imitates Novak Djokovic/Ben Shelton celebration
Novak Djokovic immitating Ben Shelton’s celebration appears to have caught on around the tennis world.
Here is Fabio Fognini’s version after Italy’s Davis Cup team captain Filippo Volandri failed to make the call.
US Open 2023: Carlos Alcaraz on mistakes against Daniil Medvedev
“He played a really, really great game. I couldn’t find solutions,” Alcaraz said. “I thought that right now I am a better player [who can] find solutions when the match is not going in the right direction for you. But after this match, I’m going to change my mind. I’m not mature enough to handle these kind of matches. So I have to learn from that.
“He played with more speed in his shots. I think the running forehand was great today. Probably with the slice in the previous matches helped me a lot to find my own game, but today I couldn’t.
“He found great directions with his shots, no mistakes, great serve today. 10 out of 10, as he said… He’s one of the best returners on the Tour. That obviously is amazing how he can return from the back of the court really deep and really powerful. When I do serve and volley, he always finds the passing shot from from his house (laughter).”
US Open 2023 final: Novak Djokovic on creating history
“I understand every time in a Grand Slam final, it’s another shot for history,” said Djokovic. “I’m aware of it, and of course I’m very proud of it, but I don’t have much time, nor do I allow myself to reflect on these things or think about the history too much in this sense.
“When I did that in the past, like the 2021 final here, I was maybe overwhelmed with the occasion and the opportunity, and I underperformed.
“I don’t want this to happen again, and I’ll try to just focus on what needs to be done and tactically prepare myself for that match.”
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