US Open final 2023 LIVE: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev result and reaction after record 24th grand slam
The 36-year-old Djokovic won his 24th major title against Medvedev to tie the all-time record with Margaret Court
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Your support makes all the difference.Novak Djokovic battled past Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 and into the tennis history books on Sunday, winning the U.S. Open to equal Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slams.
The victory, his fourth in 10 Flushing Meadows finals, capped another remarkable Grand Slam campaign for Djokovic with wins at the Australian, French and U.S. Opens and a return to the top of the world rankings when they are updated on Monday. The 36-year-old Serb becomes the oldest U.S. Open men’s winner in the Open Era and the first to win three Grand Slam events in a season for the fourth time. The win was also measure of revenge for Djokovic.
The second seed walked out on to a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday and stared across the net at Medvedev the man once again standing between him and history just as he had two years ago. The last time the two clashed at the U.S. Open was in the 2021 final, when the Russian captured his only major and denied the Serb a rare calendar Grand Slam. While Djokovic and Medvedev are intriguing figures, neither has been fully embraced by the New York crowds.
Certainly there was little of the electricity that crackled through Arthur Ashe during the women’s final on Saturday, with no clear support for either player from an attentive but subdued audience. As expected in a contest featuring the sport’s two premier hardcourt players, almost every point was contested with long rallies as both men pounded away at each other from the baseline. Djokovic came out playing with purpose and applied pressure right away breaking the third seed at the first opportunity on way to a 3-0 lead.
That would be the only break Djokovic would need against a surprisingly flat Medvedev who could not manufacture a single break chance in the first set. During a marathon one hour and 44 minute, lung-bursting second set Medvedev would find life forcing a tiring Djokovic into long grinding point, after grinding point. But the tireless Russian’s hard work would pay no dividends unable to convert any of his few break chances including one at 6-5 that would have given him the set.
Medvedev charged in front 3-1 of the tie-break but again could not land the knockout blow as Djokovic came off the ropes to take it 7-5 and a 2-0 lead. If there is one thing Djokovic possesses it is a killer instinct and the Serb wasted no time striking breaking Medvedev to go up 3-1 in the third. A defiant Medvedev answered with his first and only break of the match but it was not enough with Djokovic hitting right back with another break then holding serve the rest of way to clinch the title.
Relive all the action from the US Open men’s final and reaction as Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev.
US Open final: Djokovic *1-1 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
A lovely moment at the start of the third game. Medvedev slips, grazing his left elbow.
Djokovic hurdles the net and offers him an arm up, though he declines. 15-15.
US Open final: Djokovic *1-1 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Djokovic is the all-time leader in grand slam history for reaching the final.
He’s played in 72 grand slams and is in his 36th grand slam final. Remarkable.
Medvedev is alive! Sprinting to the net and planting a whipped forehand crosscourt to move to 40-0 and that’s a game to love.
Both men clearly taking a breather after that gruelling second set.
US Open final: Djokovic 1-0* Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Djokovic injury update: It looks like general fatigue, as the Serbian is stretching both legs and doing a series of lunges before serving.
A bit more zip on those serves, it’s straightforward enough. You would hope that isn’t a trend or maybe the game will be over rather quickly.
US Open final: Djokovic 0-0 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Medvedev is getting some serious massage therapy on that left shoulder. He looks in some pain, real anguish across his face.
But the fresh t-shirt is on, a new wristband, can he rally in the third?
US Open final: Djokovic 7-6 Medvedev (6-3) - SET!
The backhand is relentless, crosscourt, just peppering Medvedev, who would not break for so long.
The Russian was begging him to go down the line, but he wouldn’t and it paid off. 5-5.
And suddenly Djokovic has set point out of nowhere, in a tiebreak where he’s barely held on.
SET! He’s done it, remarkable resilience from the Serbian, and Medvedev looks crushed. 2-0 and now within one set of that magical 24th slam title.
US Open final: Djokovic 6-6 Medvedev (6-3) - tiebreak
Djokovic, with 23 written on his trainers, steps into the backhand cross-court, but that nets. The 18th unforced error of the set, Medvedev only has 15.
2-0 to the Russian. The mini-break is there. It’s 3-1 to Medvedev and he smashes into the net, could that be costly? He still leads 3-2, now for Djokovic to serve.
And a booming first serve just when he needs it, Djokovic pulls level, 3-3. Both men take a drink.
Another exhibition in the extraordinary, Djokovic unable to return the drop shot with another, as the ball spins wide. 5-4 to Medvedev.
US Open final: Djokovic 6-6* Medvedev (6-3)
This game lives on! Djokovic spurns a third game point. A drop shot fizzes off the racket, but won’t reach the net. A gasp from the crowd. Back to deuce we go.
And back to the serve out wide goes Djokovic. Advantage Djokovic. Medvedev must sort that out, it’s almost a get out of jail free card for the Serbian. He’s won 23/25 when coming to the net.
GAME! We go to the tie breaker.
US Open final: Djokovic *5-6 Medvedev (6-3)
A change of angle from Medvedev! Down the line with the backhand, he has set point, stunning!
Serve, volley, rinse, repeat. Break point saved. Deuce 2.
Another epic rally, this time Medvedev crumbles, and we have game point.
These guys are averaging 6.4 shots per rally. If in doubt, Djokovic will kick it out wide on the deuce side of the court. Advantage Djokovic.
US Open final: Djokovic *5-6 Medvedev (6-3)
And Medvedev has the first point of the game!
Djokovic with the drop shot, but he can’t get it high enough and the languid frame of the Russian is good enough to reach and put that ball away.
Djokovic, at 30-30, is stretching out his left hip flexor after losing the point. Is this a serious issue all of a sudden?
But no, serve and volley out wide, 108mph, the forehand volley at the net just works. But Djokovic double faults once again, his fourth of the set. Deuce.
US Open final: Djokovic *5-6 Medvedev (6-3)
You cannot believe this, it is Djokovic at his absolute best and it’s one of the most incredible rallies you will ever see. Djokovic is pleased with himself, too, ‘are you not entertained?’ His box rise in delight too.
But just like that Medvedev puts together two fine first serves and dispatches the game, he’s secured at least a tie break. Djokovic to serve to stay in the second set.
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