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
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
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 1-1* Medvedev (6-3)
Djokovic able to cope with the pressure after falling behind in the second set, he’s out to a 30-0 lead.
And in a hurry, Djokovic has his first hold to love of the contest.
US Open final: Djokovic *0-1 Medvedev (6-3)
It’s a nervy opener for Medvedev, and the rallies continue to sap the energy of the Russian.
A heavy cross-court forehand from Djokovic makes Medvedev crack, deuce.
Brilliant, the sprint from Medvedev and Djokovic aims a deep, looping backhand, but at full stretch the Russian makes the volley at the net. He holds not long after and now takes a lead in a set for the first time in the match.
US Open final: Djokovic 6-3 Medvedev - 1st set statistics
Winners: Djokovic 12-8 Medvedev
First serve points won (%): Djokovic 81-73 Medvedev
Second serve points won (%): Djokovic 53-33 Medvedev
US Open final: Djokovic 6-3 Medvedev - SET
Djokovic very calm out there now, not rising to some emotional moments from his opponent. At least not yet.
And Djokovic sends Medvedev so wide he’s barely in shot, the return is dumped into the net.
The Russian is frustrated and unable to dictate these points on the Serbian’s serve.
POINT OF THE MATCH! Djokovic and Medvedev put on a show and it’s the Serbian’s looping backhand that forces his opponent to break after an intense exchange. A third set point coming up...
GAME. SET. Medvedev just a little sloppy when it matters. When Djokovic wins the opening set in 73 matches at the US Open, he’s won 72. Only Stan Wawrinka has denied him, back in 2016.
US Open final: Djokovic *5-3 Medvedev
That’s delightful from Medvedev, the legs cross over but the backhand barely creeps over the net, down the line and brushing the line, Djokovic can’t even sniff that one.
But Djokovic grinds him down again, set point: A Medvedev forehand, and an attempted winner, forces Djokovic into a backhand on the spin, and it’s drifting back and lands out.
And it’s an impressive hold, Djokovic to serve for the set.
US Open final: Djokovic 5-2* Medvedev
There have been 32 minutes in this final, the winners count: Djokovic leads 10-5.
There’s real strategy in this game, with Djokovic slicing to the Russian’s forehand and picking his way around the court, two game points.
A nice change of pace from Medvedev forces a lazy, long forehand to go out from Djokovic. The Russian has been effective against Djokovic’s serve, winning two points at least in every game so far.
But another tidy hold from Djokovic, who is probably operating in second gear right now.
US Open final: Djokovic *4-2 Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev is looking to become the first player to beat the top two seeds and go on to win the US Open since 1975.
Being the only player to beat Novak Djokovic on hard courts in 2023 may help his cause.
So will that hold, 4-2.
US Open final: Djokovic 4-1* Medvedev
Real tension here, Djokovic in a little hole once more, second serve and 15-30.
But you have to say that is delightful, rushing to the net after the kick serve, and then the deep volley before an easy chance to put the point away with Medvedev stranded well behind the baseline.
The Djokovic fist pump is already out and visible on back-to-back points, he knows this is crucial to the first set, maintaining that break.
But don’t write off Medvedev, a floaty, backhand whipped down the light as the Russian skipped away from where he sent the ball, Djokovic just admires that one. Deuce.
And Djokovic holds, 4-1.
US Open final: Djokovic *3-1 Medvedev
This is better from Medvedev, that slinging backhand is forcing Djokovic out wide and to move more.
He is back in the set after holding, 1-3.
US Open final: Djokovic 3-0* Medvedev
Djokovic is contending with Medvedev’s deep return, and opts to come forward quickly towards the net.
It’s working too, he puts away a backhand volley deep, pulling back a 0-30 hole.
And that’s composure, too, just as Medvedev looked to bite back immediately. A hold and a three-game lead.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments