US Open 2021: Daniil Medvedev prevents Novak Djokovic's Grand Slam
Daniil Medvedev won his first major title - and thus prevented Novak Djokovic's calendar grand slam. Medvedev won the final of the US Open 2021 6: 4, 6: 4 and 6: 4.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 13, 2021, 12:33 am
Here you can read the match in the live ticker!
Novak Djokovic lacked a win to win the Calendar Grand Slam - but it wasn't meant to be. Because Daniil Medvedev took revenge for the defeat at the Australian Open in the final of the US Open 2021 and won his first title in a major with 6: 4, 6: 4 and 6: 4. Djokovic remains with 20 successes in Grand Slam tournaments, on a level with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer .
The match began according to Medvedev's gusto: Djokovic missed a 40:15 lead, Medvedev took the lead with a break and missed another to make it 3-0. But that didn't matter: Djokovic only got three points as a setback in the first act, Medvedev secured the set lead with an ace. Nothing new for Novak Djokovic in New York 2021: The industry leader had also messed up the start in the four previous matches, against Kei Nishikor i, Jenson Brooksby, Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev .
Djokovic faulty on the net, Medvedev strong as a server
In Medvedev's first service game in the second set, the Russian had to turn a 0:40. He did this with flying colors, causing some frustration for Djokovic and most of the audience. After all: The favorite fended off a break chance in the following service game. A few moments later, Djokovic's racket had to believe it - after two more missed opportunities on Medvedev's serve. Who gladly took a weak service game from Djokovic to 3-2.
Medvedev served reasonably safely - even if Djokovic left a great chance of at least debut at 5: 4. 0: 2 set deficit, Novak Djokovic also had to come back in the final of Roland Garros against Stefanos Tsitsipas. At that time the man from Belgrade took a longer break, this time he stayed on the court. And at the beginning of the third round he had to accept another break. Djokokic sought the way forward more and more often, too seldom crowned with success. As with Breakball Medvedev to 3-0: Djokovic put a simple forehand volley out. And Daniil Medvedev allowed next to nothing as a server afterwards. However, he made a double mistake on his first match point. And then another one - Djokovic had another chance to get 3: 5. And he used what might be the last straw. But too late. Because in the second attempt, Medvedev closed the match with his own serve.
Rod Laver, who followed the match live at Arthur Ashe Stadium, remains the last man to date to have won all four Grand Slam tournaments within a calendar year. That was in 1969. 52 years later, Novak Djokovic came closer to him than anyone else since then.
Here the single tableau in New York
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