Daniil Medvedev will face Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open two years after beating the world No 2 to lift his maiden Major title. At the time, the 27-year-old said he “felt sorry” for Djokovic, who missed out on the Calendar Grand Slam as a result of the loss. Medvedev also claimed things could have gone the other way if Djokovic was at his best, throwing some doubts over what the result could be this time around.
Medvedev stunned Djokovic at the same stage of the US Open in 2021 when history was on the line. At the time, the Serb had the chance to become the first man in 52 years to complete the Calendar Grand Slam. And he was trying to reach a then-record of 21 men’s singles Major titles.
But it was the Russian, then aged 25, who blitzed through the championship match 6-4 6-4 6-4 to lift his first – and so far only – Grand Slam trophy. When Djokovic fell one match short of the amazing achievement – winning all four Majors in the same year – Medvedev apologised to the Serb in his speech and later said he “felt sorry” for the 36-year-old.
“I do feel sorry for Novak because I cannot imagine what he feels,” the world No 3 said, before sharing his delight at capturing his first Grand Slam trophy. “I don’t know this feeling. It definitely makes it sweeter. I mean, a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. I would win it against Botic [van de Zandschulp] in the final, probably I would be same happy.”
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However, Medvedev also conceded that his opponent hadn’t played his best tennis and asked whether the result would have been different if Djokovic was at a higher level. It raises some questions about his chances in the 2023 final and whether the Russian can still stun the 23-time Major winner if Djokovic is at his best.
“It’s always about the small details,” he said after winning two years ago. “Again, he definitely was not at his best. We saw him playing better. The question is, if he would be, would I be able to keep up with him? We can never know now. I’m just happy to win.”
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Djokovic will certainly have less pressure on his shoulders going into the match this time around, as he won’t be attempting to complete the Calendar Slam. But he is still going for the Open Era record of 23 Major titles. And Medvedev is well aware that he will need to be at his peak to defeat the second seed.
“He’s going to be 10 times better than he was that day,” the 27-year-old said after booking his spot in the final, referring to their 2021 match. “And I have to be, if I want to still beat him, 10 times better than I was that day. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”
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