Just when the U.S. Open was on the verge of its dream weekend, Daniil Medvedev did something typically Medvedev-like and ruined it all. With an impressive victory over Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion and 20-year-old sensation of the sport, Medvedev, known for his unique style of play and playful personality, dashed the hopes of watching the next chapter in Alcaraz’s rivalry with Novak Djokovic.
Instead of a highly anticipated repeat of the Alcaraz-Djokovic final from the tuneup tournament three weeks ago, which followed their Wimbledon final rematch in July and their semifinal showdown at the French Open in June, Sunday will see a rematch of the 2021 U.S. Open final between Medvedev and Djokovic.
In that final, Medvedev, the Russian with unconventional strokes and a quirky victory celebration, crushed Djokovic’s chances of winning all four Grand Slam titles in a calendar year in three sets. Medvedev acknowledged that Djokovic always improves each time they play, therefore he must bring his best to beat him.
On Friday night, it was the seemingly unstoppable Alcaraz, the current world No. 1 and top seed of the tournament, who experienced a major setback. Medvedev relentlessly chased down every ball and showcased his lethal serves, matching Alcaraz shot for shot and pushing him to the brink of losing his composure in the second set. Although Alcaraz controlled the third set for a comeback, Medvedev ultimately prevailed over the young Spaniard, winning in four sets with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Alcaraz had his shining moments, particularly in the early stages of the third set when he displayed incredible athleticism and control at the net. However, Medvedev quickly regained his focus after a break and a change of clothes. He demonstrated his ability to find tight angles and outsmart his acrobatic opponent.
One particular highlight was during the marathon sixth game of the fourth set, which lasted nearly 15 minutes. Medvedev unleashed a backhand return that caught Alcaraz off guard as he rushed towards the net in an attempt to save his serve. Medvedev celebrated in his trademark fashion, gesturing for the crowd’s support. Two games later, he secured the victory, making it clear that Alcaraz would not defeat him as he had done twice before this year.
Now, Medvedev turns his attention to his upcoming duel with Djokovic, a match unlike any other in the sport. He knows that mental preparation is crucial to facing Djokovic, especially in a Grand Slam final where Djokovic is known for being in top form.
Djokovic, a 23-time Grand Slam winner and the greatest player of the modern era, knows how to dismantle his opponents tactically, utilizing their own strengths against them. In his semifinal match against Ben Shelton, an impressive 20-year-old with a powerful serve and flashy style, Djokovic showcased his unmatched skill and efficiency. He defeated Shelton with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in just over two and a half hours.
Despite Shelton’s entertaining displays of power and finesse, Djokovic remained composed and picked apart his opponent’s game with ease. Djokovic even mimicked Shelton’s post-match celebration, turning it into a light-hearted moment between the two players.
Djokovic’s dominance on the court was evident throughout the match, as he chased down drop shots with impressive speed and returned powerful serves effortlessly. Although Shelton had moments of brilliance, Djokovic swiftly shut down any hopes of a comeback with his exceptional play.
The match took place in front of a crowd of nearly 24,000 fans at the electrifying Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite the palpable energy in the air, Djokovic remained unfazed and executed his game plan flawlessly.
Now, all eyes are set on the highly anticipated rematch between Medvedev and Djokovic in the U.S. Open final. The stage is set for an intense battle that will test both players mentally and physically. As Medvedev aptly put it, it’s a preparation for war, where both players will bring their best to claim victory. The final promises to be a captivating showdown that will captivate tennis fans around the world.
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