Medvedev knows key to beating Djokovic after ending Alcaraz reign

09 September 2023 , 14:31

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Daniil Medvedev knows he can raise his game to Novak Djokovic's level. (Image: Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Daniil Medvedev produced one of the finest performances of his career to defeat reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final of the US Open on Friday night, and the world No.3 knows exactly what he has to do to beat Novak Djokovic in the final.

Russian-born Medvedev, competing as a neutral athlete, overcame the Spaniard in four grueling sets in the New York City heat to book a rematch with Djokovic at Flushing Meadows. The Serb was the man Medvedev defeated in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2021 when he won his one and only Grand Slam title.

Medvedev has perhaps the greatest player of all time standing in his way of a second US Open crown, but the 27-year-old knows he has the ability to raise his game to Djokovic's level, thanks to his straight-sets win in 2021. Djokovic punched his ticket for the final by defeating America's Ben Shelton in straight sets.

"The challenge is you play a guy who (has) won 23 Grand Slams and I have only one," Medvedev said in his on-court interview after ending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz's tournament and his reign at the US Open.

"When I beat (Djokovic) here, I managed to play better than myself and I need to do it again, there is no other way."

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After a hard-fought first set that Medvedev won via a tiebreak, the Russian surged into control with a 6-1 victory in the second. Inevitably, Alcaraz battled back and claimed the third, but Medvedev held firm and took the fourth 6-3 to reach his fifth Grand Slam final.

Djokovic reached the final by beating Ben Shelton in straight sets. (Getty Images)

"(It feels) amazing, especially beating someone like Carlos," Medvedev said. "I lost two times against him this year so before the match, for sure there were a lot of doubts. 'Could I impose my game to him? What should I do better?' Finally, an amazing match from my side and I'm really happy to be here on Sunday.

"I said I needed to play 11 out of 10. I played 12 out of 10 except the third set. That's the only way. He's so young, but already (he has won) two Grand Slams, world number one for many weeks. Honestly, it's just pretty unbelievable and I think nobody has done it before him. To beat him, you need to be better than yourself and I managed to do it.

"The crowd was unbelievable today, absolutely unbelievable and I needed it. We had some absolutely crazy points and I felt love for both sides."

Medvedev and Djokovic have faced each other 14 times in tournaments, with Djokovic winning nine times. They have clashed three times in Grand Slams, with the Serb leading 2-1.

The pair will battle for the title at Arthur Ashe on Sunday evening. On Saturday, the women's title will be decided from 9pm BST as American teenage sensation Coco Gauff takes on Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka.

Sam Frost