In a thrilling showdown at the US Open 2023, Novak Djokovic secured his 24th Grand Slam singles title by triumphing over the resilient Daniil Medvedev. The final, held on Sunday, September 10, witnessed Djokovic clinching his fourth Flushing Meadows title with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 after an intense battle that lasted three hours and 16 minutes.
Djokovic’s victory not only solidified his status as a tennis legend but also drew him level with the iconic Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in history. Moreover, the Serbian sensation made history by becoming the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open Era.
In his 10th US Open final appearance, Djokovic quickly took control by securing an early break and establishing a commanding 3-0 lead in the opening set. From that point onward, he maintained his dominance, wrapping up the set in just 48 minutes. Despite a valiant effort by Medvedev to stave off a break and set point at 2-5, it was Djokovic who sealed the deal with an unforced error from his opponent.
With Djokovic holding the first set, the odds favored him. In the past 30 years, players who lost the opening set had managed to win the men’s singles final only three times, with Djokovic himself being on the receiving end once in 2016 when he lost to Stan Wawrinka. Despite this setback, Medvedev still harbored hopes of a comeback.
The second set witnessed both players successfully holding their serves, resulting in a 3-3 deadlock. However, the highlight of the set was a breathtaking 31-shot rally between Djokovic and Medvedev, which left Djokovic sprawled on the court, likely due to exhaustion. During this intense exchange, the 27-year-old Medvedev narrowly avoided conceding a break by holding his serve.
Djokovic began to show signs of fatigue in the second set, as evidenced by the four double faults he committed. At 5-6, he fought off a set point, ultimately forcing a tie-break. In 2023, Djokovic had a remarkable record of winning 25 tie-breaks and losing only five, further showcasing his prowess in crucial moments. In a display of his resilience, he extended this record to 26, making it the longest second set at the US Open this year, lasting for an hour and 44 minutes.
As the match progressed into the third set, Djokovic managed to secure his second service break and build a 3-1 lead. This was a much-needed boost for Djokovic after his struggles in the previous set. However, Medvedev displayed remarkable resilience, swiftly breaking back and keeping the match and championship within his reach.
Djokovic, displaying unwavering composure, secured another crucial service break, putting immense pressure on Medvedev for the second time in the set. Djokovic then held his serve to ensure that Medvedev had to serve to stay in the match.
With the championship hanging in the balance, Medvedev had a fleeting opportunity to break Djokovic’s serve at 3-5, 30-30. However, Djokovic exhibited nerves of steel, denying Medvedev the break and ultimately emerging victorious in this gripping thriller.
