US Open 2021: Daniil Medvedev versus Felix Auger-Aliassime - game in the shadows
The big spotlight at the US Open this Friday will be on the semi-final duel between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev . But the semi-final game on the lower side of the draw also promises explosiveness.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 10, 2021, 07:02 pm
The Russian has confirmed on many occasions that Daniil Medvedev is the best hard court player in the world behind Novak Djokovic. In the spring, the Russian reached his second major final at the Australian Open, and with his success over Botic van de Zandschulp, the world number two played his way into his third US Open semifinals in a row. For this year's edition, the 25-year-old also traveled from Toronto with the Masters title in his luggage.
In the semifinals, the young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime is now waiting for Medvedev, the 21-year-old is in the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his professional career. And go into this as an outsider. While for the Canadian the entry into the round of the last four is a great success, Medvedev is undoubtedly looking for more.
Freestyle in the final
Namely, his first title at Grand Slam level. First the duty, then the freestyle, you could say, in the final with Djokovic or Zverev it goes against the two tennis players in the best form on the planet at the moment. Against the newly crowned golden boy from Germany or the highly decorated man from Serbia. Who in turn wants to make the dream of the "Grand Slam" perfect in New York City.
Medvedev does not want a special opponent for the final, who anyway emphasizes that he must first make his semifinals successful. "We have already seen that anyone can beat anyone. If he is in the final and I am too, then I am satisfied. But I watch his games because he plays on the days I don't play," he said Russian.
So while the big spotlights on Friday will be on the semi-final duel between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev are fighting a bit in the shadows for their place in the final. Be it the first for the young Canadian or the third for the Russian Medvedev.