Tennis-Medvedev wins U.S. Open to end Djokovic calendar Grand Slam bid By Reuters

By Steve Keating

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Novak Djokovic’s quest for a document twenty first main title that might have accomplished the calendar yr Grand Slam collapsed on the remaining hurdle in a shocking 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat by Russian Daniil Medvedev within the U.S. Open remaining on Sunday.

Medvedev, enjoying in his third main remaining, ultimately hoisted a Grand Slam trophy whereas avenging a straight units defeat by Djokovic earlier this yr within the Australian Open remaining.

The 34-year-old Serb was attempting to change into the primary man in over a half-century to win all 4 majors (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open) in the identical yr.

It could have made him solely the third man to attain the feat after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969), who was watching from a courtside seat.

“It is a robust one to swallow, this loss, contemplating every part that was on the road,” stated Djokovic.

“I used to be glad it was over as a result of the construct up for this event and every part that mentally, emotionally I needed to take care of all through the event within the final couple of weeks was only a lot.

“It was lots to deal with.”

For the fifth consecutive match, Djokovic discovered himself enjoying catch-up after dropping the primary set.

However this time there can be no means out because the rampaging Russian saved up the strain with a barrage of aces whereas permitting Djokovic a single break.

Within the second set Medvedev stepped up the strain additional and Djokovic confirmed the primary indicators of cracking, the Serb destroying his racquet in a match of frustration after lacking two break possibilities.

With Djokovic on the ropes Medvedev moved in with the knockout punch, breaking to clinch the second then racing to a double break 4-0 lead within the third.

Such was Medvedev’s domination that the one tiny little bit of suspense got here late within the third when the Russian was instantly hit by a bout of nerves attempting to shut out the match.

Serving at 5-2 Medvedev double faulted on match level, permitting Djokovic to safe his break.

After the highest seed held serve to trim the deficit to 5-4 Medvedev once more had match level and once more double faulted.

However the 25-year-old didn’t squander one other likelihood, gathering himself to clinch the title on his third try.

Medvedev later revealed there might need been extra drama had the match gone any additional. He stated he was beginning to cramp up simply as he started to shut out the third and feared Djokovic would pounce if he noticed any signal of vulnerability.

“At 5-4, my left leg, I nearly could not stroll,” stated Medvedev. “After I walked to the towel, my leg was simply going behind.

“I used to be attempting to not present it. If Novak feels it, it isn’t good.”

WEIGHT OF HISTORY

Djokovic arrived on Arthur Ashe Stadium court docket with the load of historical past on his shoulders.

A unprecedented girls’s remaining on Saturday between youngsters Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez had softened the highlight’s glare on Djokovic however there was no shirking from it on Sunday with tennis followers around the globe tuned in to witness historical past.

The ladies’s remaining was the primary Grand Slam to characteristic two unseeded gamers however the males’s adopted the shape guide to the letter with primary Djokovic assembly quantity two Medvedev.

The New York crowd had by no means actually embraced Djokovic the way in which it wrapped its arms round Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafa Nadal, who’ve additionally gained 20 Grand Slam titles.

It had additionally proven no actual love for Medvedev, the lanky Russian who relished the position of U.S. Open villain on his strategy to the 2019 remaining.

Maybe sensing they had been about to witness one thing particular, the group rallied behind Djokovic from the second he stepped on court docket, showering him with cheers and chants of his nickname: “Nole, Nole, Nole”.

“I felt one thing I by no means felt in my life right here in New York,” stated Djokovic. “The group made me (really feel) very particular.

“The emotion, the power was so sturdy. I imply, it is as sturdy as successful 21 Grand Slams.

“That is how I felt, actually.”

However no quantity of help might elevate Djokovic’s recreation.

The Serb had stated he would deal with the ultimate as if it had been the final match of his profession however by no means got here near discovering his greatest.

Medvedev was additionally keenly conscious there was a line within the historical past books for him if he had been the participant to disclaim Djokovic the coveted calendar yr Grand Slam.

“It undoubtedly makes it sweeter,” stated Medvedev. “He was going for large historical past and realizing that I managed to cease him it undoubtedly makes it sweeter and brings me confidence for what’s to come back.”