US Open 2021 - Day Twelve Men’s Singles semi finals
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)
Semi final 1:
Felix Auger-Aliassime (12) (Canada) v Daniil Medvedev (2) (Russia)
The pair had only met once before, in the Toronto Masters 1000, August 2018. Medvedev won a three setter.
Felix had made 8 ATP finals, 2 this year, but failed to break through for a title to date.
Medvedev had won 12 titles, including 3 this year.
In this semi final, games were on serve without a break point until Felix lost focus and was broken to love in the seventh game.
Medvedev was in the middle of a 12 point run, and with no more break points he took the set 6-4.
The second seed was taken to deuce for the first time in the match in game two of the second set, but simply sent down two big serves to level at 1-1.
Felix double faulted in the fifth game to let a lead slip to deuce, but he steadied and maintained his lead 3-2.
From 40-15 in the sixth game, Medvedev netted a backhand, then Felix hit a forehand return winner followed by a backhand passing shot to create a break point. Medvedev saved it with a forehand winner, but another break chance was greeted with a double fault and Felix led 4-2.
A love game consolidated the break.
Serving at 5-3 to level the match, smart Canadian volleying had Felix at 30-0, but a double fault and a Russian winner brought it back to 30-30.
Medvedev pushed a forehand wide and it was set point, but it vanished when Felix hit the net with a forehand. His second set point also was saved when he netted a volley.
A poor drop shot from Felix gave Medvedev time to hit a forehand winner, and he converted the resultant break point.
Medvedev then capitalised on a disappointed Canadian by holding serve easily then breaking serve again, this time to love.
The second seed served out the set 7-5.
Set three began as badly as set two ended for Felix - broken in the third game, unforced errors the cause.
Medvedev saved a break back point in the next game and took a 3-1 lead.
Broken to love in game five, Felix appeared to have run out of gas, Medvedev sprinting towards the final, 4-1 with a double break.
Serving at 1-5 to stay in the match, Felix opened with a double fault but battled through to hold and force Medvedev to serve for it.
With a minimum of fuss, Medvedev did the job, winning a place in his third final at Grand Slam level 6-4 7-5 6-2.
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