Russia’s Daniil Medvedev bagged his first grand slam title on Sunday, after defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the US Open men’s singles final.Medvedev, the world No. 2 won the game held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
The second seed ended his opponent’s bid for a calendar slam and a 21st major by dominating from start to finish.
While Djokovic failed to become the third man after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) to sweep all four majors in the same year, Medvedev capped off a stellar US Open outing with a memorable win. Almost announcing a change of guard, the Russian broke in the first game of the contest and from there, he remained in control throughout.
US Open 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev said the victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the tournament finals has given him the confidence for future events.
The 25-year-old Russian said the win over Djokovic has become sweeter as it stopped the World No. 1 from scripting a huge feat. “It definitely makes it sweeter. For the confidence and for my future career, knowing that I beat somebody who was 27-0 in a year in Grand Slams, I lost to him in Australia, he was going for huge history, and knowing that I managed to stop him it definitely makes it sweeter and brings me confidence for what is to come,” the US Open website quoted Medvedev as saying.
Medvedev won all fifteen of his first-serve points in the opening set and rifled eight aces, never facing a break point. Medvedev, the No. 2 seed delivered a performance for the ages, as he clinched every opportunity to notch a stirring 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win en route to his maiden Grand Slam title.
“I never said this to anybody, but I’ll say it right now. For me, you are the greatest player in history,” Medvedev told Djokovic during the post-match trophy ceremony. Medvedev has now become the third Russian man to win a Grand Slam singles title, and the second to claim the US Open title.