Media playback is not supported on this device Medvedev beats Djokovic at US Open
US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 27 August-9 September Coverage: Live radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and online
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev won his first Grand Slam title by beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open.
The 21-year-old, who had yet to get beyond the fourth round at a major, had 20 aces and won 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to become the first qualifier to win a Slam since Frenchman Michael Chang in 1989.
In a victory that reached new heights, Medvedev lifted the trophy before coach Nick Kyrgios and girlfriend Ruby Lee.
“I have no words. It has been an unbelievable week,” he said.
In terms of the Grand Slams, it will go down as the most memorable final the men’s game has seen for years.
Medvedev outclassed world number one Djokovic, breaking twice in each set and breaking serve for a third time to take a 4-2 lead in the third set.
As the Serb saved four set points, Medvedev hit a backhand return beyond Djokovic’s reach to secure the match and with it a golden opportunity to break into the world’s top 10.
It was the junior champion’s first match in three years, and also his first win at a Slam, but as Djokovic’s game crumbled, the crowd whooped and applauded in rapture.
Djokovic and Kyrgios embrace after the final on the Arthur Ashe Stadium
After a brief ‘comeback tour’ in which he appeared to relish the mounting pressure he faced after taking over the world number one spot, Djokovic has lost his way again.
The 32-year-old could not break the Serbian’s serve, and, despite a match-altering break in the third set and a flurry of booming winners to regain parity, the match finished with Djokovic shivering as he produced his eighth double fault to let a match point slip.
“It’s all good. I’m satisfied,” said Djokovic. “I’ve worked hard all summer, but I haven’t gone through the baseline.
“I’m not healthy in the right way, but even if I was, this match would have ended different. I had a 6-4 lead, I had an 80% chance, I lost concentration on that point.
“It’s always nice to play a great final like that and watch a good match. Daniil played unbelievably, made a lot of winners.
“I’m not really sure how I pulled myself back into it, but it was a great fight, I can’t complain.”