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.
Daniil Medvedev reacts to US Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic
“Congrats to you and your team, I feel like I had not a bad career, I have 24 titles and you have 24 slams,” Medvedev says.
“I was here two years ago when I won, what a great anniversary gift for my wife. It’s funny, because dates usually change, but today is the anniversary, I was like, ‘come on, one more time’.
“From one side, I can say, I beat Novak in a slam final, the pinnacle of my career, I played five finals against them and I won one.
“I said in Australia, but I say it again, first we met when I was 500th in the world. He was kind to me, nothing special, but a normal person.
“He still does, nothing changed. Something great about a person you can say.”
US Open final: Djokovic defeats (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) Medvedev - Game, Set, Match and Championship!
Djokovic wears a new Lacoste jacket with ‘24’ on the chest.
He also displays a t-shirt with ‘Mamba Forever’ in tribute to Kobe Bryant and the legendary basketball player’s No 24 on the back.
US Open final: Djokovic defeats (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) Medvedev - Game, Set, Match and Championship!
The statistics of the match show the key was largely at the net.
Djokovic won 37/44 to Medvedev’s 16/22.
US Open final: Djokovic defeats (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) Medvedev - Game, Set, Match and Championship!
Djokovic slowing things down now, taking a few more steps between points.
Now two points away, 30-15. But another double fault slows his sprint to the title, 30-30.
Another long rally, but Medvedev goes long with the backhand down the line... It’s championship point!
Djokovic will move to his second serve, but it doesn’t matter as Medvedev plants it into the net, a friendly embrace at the net.
24. Grand. Slam. Titles. Amazing.
US Open final: Djokovic *5-3 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Now then, what does Medvedev have left? Djokovic jumping up with the backhand return.
Then a smash from the baseline, a drop shot that has Medvedev scrambling and the Russian collides with the net. 0-15.
Medvedev with a crushing first serve, some venom in that one, 15-30.
Magic! Both men at their limits, another incredible rally. Djokovic is left in the splits and on his front after Medvedev’s magnificent get. He then puts one away at the net to move to game point. He deserves this game, 6-2 would be a harsh conclusion.
And he moves to 3-5 with a booming serve. Djokovic to serve for the championship.
US Open final: Djokovic 5-2* Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Ruthless from Djokovic here.
A second serve there at 40-0, but it matters little, Medvedev still going for winners, but he can’t find his range. 5-2 and he’s now one game away.
US Open final: Djokovic *4-2 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Tim Henman is raving about Djokovic’s ability to shift direction in the rally.
That backhand winner zips past the Russian, who can barely turn back to look at what he’s contending with here.
It’s a break back after the break back. 4-2.
US Open final: Djokovic 3-2* Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Medvedev still dancing around his backhand to launch an impressive forehand to Djokovic’s backhand side.
Djokovic then unable to loop a forehand back inside the line. 15-30.
And suddenly, another double fault! Remarkable timing, a sniff at a break back for Medvedev, 15-40.
Silence! Nobody can quite believe it, a gift from Djokovic and Medvedev is back in this set, and perhaps the match.
US Open final: Djokovic *3-1 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Medvedev now looks tired and perhaps a little sorry for himself, he’s break point down.
Djokovic jumps on the second serve and then dictates the rally from that moment onwards.
Medvedev going long and that is surely that?
US Open final: Djokovic 2-1* Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
That was machine-like from Djokovic, no let-up, he moves one clear and it gets just that little bit harder for Medvedev.
As we approach the three-hour mark, both men look noticeably fatigued.
But Medvedev will have to dig that little bit deeper to salvage this match.
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