At US Open, Daniil Medvedev Defeats Novak Djokovic in Straight Sets

There will be no Grand Slam for Djokovic this year

US Open
Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the runner-up trophy alongside Daniil Medvedev of Russia who celebrates with the championship trophy after winning their Men's Singles final match on Day Fourteen of the 2021 US Open.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Earlier this year, Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open to win the men’s singles title. That began his impressive run of wins in major tennis championships. At this year’s US Open, the two players faced off again in a final; if Djokovic won, he would join the rarefied company of Grand Slam winners.

Instead, Medvedev rose to the occasion with an impressive display of skill all his own. When the match ended, it was Medvedev who was victorious — in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

The match clearly took a lot out of both men. After it was concluded, Medvedev fell to the ground in exhaustion, while Djokovic looked to be overcome with emotion. As ESPN’s report notes, Djokovic also damaged his racket earlier in the match during an especially frustrating moment.

As The Athletic reports, this was Medvedev’s first major tournament victory. As for Djokovic, he’s won the US Open three times already, along with 20 victories in major tournaments. 2021’s Grand Slams were bookended by notable matches between the two men, and it certainly seems 2022 could bring even more.

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