US Open 2021 - Day Fourteen Men’s Singles final
US Open - a Grand Slam tournament, on Hard, in New York City, New York, USA, 30 August - 12 September 2021.
2020 champion (not defending):
Dominic Thiem (2) who defeated Alexander Zverev (5) 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(6)
Final:
Novak Djokovic (1) (Serbia) v Daniil Medvedev (2) (Russia)
The top two seeds contesting the US Open men’s singles final is something that hadn’t occurred since Djokovic defeated Federer in 2015.
In their previous battles, Djokovic defeated Medvedev 5 out of 8 matches, the most recent encounter being the AO final this year, where Djokovic won in straight sets.
Medvedev had won three of the four immediately before that, but in best of five clashes, it has been Djokovic prevailing, including the 2019 AO round of sixteen four set win.
Medvedev landed in the US Open on the back of a Masters 1000 title in Toronto and a semi final finish in Cincinnati. He dropped just one set in reaching the US Open final, although he didn’t have to face a top 20 player en route.
Djokovic’s only competition tennis since Wimbledon and before New York was the Tokyo Olympics, and he missed out on a medal there.
However, he has been on song at Flushing Meadows, passing his biggest test so far against Zverev in the semis.
Djokovic, with victory, would achieve the Grand Slam, and for the second time in his career be the current holder of all 4 major titles.
Medvedev, if successful, would take home his first major title, from a third final.
Djokovic served first, and let a 40-15 lead slip to where he faced a break point. Medvedev broke for the initial advantage.
The #2 seed consolidated for a 2-0 lead.
Djokovic saved two break points in the third game and was on the board.
Serve was held easily after that until Djokovic was at the line 3-5 serving to stay in the set. The top seed was taken to 30-30 but managed to hold and Medvedev would serve for the set.
No problems for the Russian and he was ahead 6-4. He had won 20 of 23 points on his serve.
Set two began differently with Medvedev needing to save three break points in the second game for 1-1.
Having wasted all those chances, Djokovic had to save a break point in his own service game before holding. 2-1.
Medvedev saved two more break points. 2-2.
Djokovic was broken in the fifth game, and Medvedev, after difficulties in his previous two service games, quickly consolidated with a love game.
Medvedev served out set two 6-4 and appeared on track to win his first major.
Djokovic was up 30-0 in the opening game of set three, but lost the next four points to drop serve.
The writing was clearly on the wall.
Djokovic let another lead, 40-30, slip, and was broken in game three.
Medvedev held for 4-0.
Djokovic served at 1-5 to stay in the match. He did, giving Medvedev the privilege of serving for the title.
Djokovic forehand winner. Medvedev ace. Medvedev double fault. Djokovic return long. 30-30. Djokovic forehand long. Match point. Two double faults and break point. Medvedev netted a forehand and lost his serve for the first time in the match. Still had the lead 5-3.
Djokovic held for 4-5.
Medvedev served again for the title.
Two Djokovic forehand errors and Medvedev had 30-0. After a forehand miss, Medvedev hit a forehand winner to give him two match points.
One was saved with a double fault, but he clinched the title when Djokovic netted a backhand.
6-4 6-4 6-4.
A great performance by Daniil Medvedev to earn his first Grand Slam tournament title.
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