Medvedev sinks Djokovic's Grand Slam dream at US Open

Medvedev, playing in his third major final, at last hoisted a Grand Slam trophy while avenging a straight sets defeat by Djokovic earlier this year in the Australian Open final.

Daniil Medvedev celebrates after his match against Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final of the 2021 US Open tennis tournament on September 12, 2021.
Reuters

Daniil Medvedev celebrates after his match against Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final of the 2021 US Open tennis tournament on September 12, 2021.

Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 21st major title that would have completed the calendar-year Grand Slam has collapsed at the final hurdle with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 loss to Russian Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.

Medvedev, playing in his third Grand Slam final, at last hoisted a trophy while avenging a straight sets defeat by Djokovic earlier this year in the Australian Open final.

Djokovic, who was trying to become the first man in over a half-century to win all four majors (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) in the same year, arrived on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with the weight of history on his shoulders.

For the fifth consecutive match, the Serb world number one found himself in an early hole after dropping the first set.

But this time there would be no way out as the rampaging Russian Medvedev kept up the pressure with a barrage of aces while allowing Djokovic a single break. 

READ MORE: Medvedev dominates Isner to face Opelka for ATP Toronto title

'Big Three' rivals tied

Djokovic will enter 2022 tied with "Big Three" rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent with injuries, on an all-time record 20 men's Slam titles.

Instead of joining immortals Laver and Don Budge, who completed the first men's Slam in 1938, Djokovic became the third man to fall at the final match attempting to complete the Slam after Australians Jack Crawford in 1933 and Lew Hoad in 1956.

Medvedev, 25, became the third Russian man to win a Grand Slam title after Yevgeny Kafelnikov at the 1996 French Open and 1999 Australian Open and Marat Safin at the 2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open.

READ MORE: Top seeds Medvedev, Barty secure triumphs at Cincinnati

Struggle from the start

In the biggest of Djokovic's 1,176 career matches, he made two unforced forehand errors to surrender a break to Medvedev in the first game.

Djokovic saved two break points to hold the third game but Medvedev held through to take the first set in 36 minutes, never facing a break point.

It was the fifth consecutive match in which Djokovic dropped the first set.

Medvedev dropped only three points on his serve in the first set but lost that many to open his first service game in the second.

Djokovic, however, squandered his first three break points of the match and Medvedev held to 1-1.

Medvedev hit a backhand wide to give Djokovic a break chance in the fourth game but he netted a forehand volley then drew back his racquet in anger as if to smash the ball.

After botching a forehand on the following point, Djokovic shattered his racquet and on the next sent a backhand long as Medvedev held to 2-2, pressure clearly affecting the Serb.

READ MORE: Djokovic to play for Grand Slam against Medvedev in US Open final

In the fifth game, Djokovic mis-hit a backhand volley to hand Medvedev a break and a 3-2 lead and the Russian held three times to claim the set, Djokovic pushing a backhand wide to surrender the final point.

Medvedev broke again to begin the third set when Djokovic sent a backhand long and again in the third game when a botched volley seemed to sign al the end of the Slam chase.

Djokovic held at love in the fifth game but Medvedev held again to 5-1 and served for the match in the eighth game.

Medvedev double faulted on championship point and again, then netted a forehand to surrender a break that kept Djokovic in the match. The crowd cheered his fightback, sensing a momentum swing.

Serving again for the match at 5-4, Medvedev double faulted on his second match point but finally got over the line on his third chance with a service winner after two hours and 16 minutes.

READ MORE: British teen Raducanu defeats Fernandez to clinch US Open women's title

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