As at all times, the scoreboard doesn’t inform the entire story of Monday’s epic US Open remaining the place Novak Djokovic was pushed to breaking level by Daniil Medvedev.
The contest was very a lot within the steadiness within the second set tiebreak earlier than the 24-time grand slam champion confirmed why he’s arguably the best participant to ever choose up a racquet by hanging a killer blow.
After successful the insane, 104-minute second set 7-5 within the tiebreak, there was no stopping the Serbian terminator, who received again his New York crown 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 — exacting revenge for his loss to Medvedev within the 2021 US Open remaining.
It strikes him away from Serena Williams for Grand Slam wins within the Open period.
The 36-year-old was out on his toes after the brutal second set the place he was barely in a position to get off the bottom on a few of his service actions on account of sheer exhaustion.
It continued early within the third set the place Djokovic’s techniques of utilizing drop pictures continued to show fruitful.
There was one second at 1-1 within the third set the place Medvedev collapsed ahead after skidding on a line whereas diving forwards to retrieve a drop shot.
The Russian was left mendacity on his again whereas the group went berserk on the finish of one other marathon rally.
Djokovic adopted it up by checking on Medvedev earlier than he climbed over the web to supply a hand to his opponent, who was nonetheless on the bottom sucking in deep breathes.
Having flashed Djokovic a thumbs up earlier than he crossed the web, Medvedev refused Djokovic’s out-stretched hand provide to assist him again to his toes.
It gave the impression to be a easy case of Medvedev needing extra time to get again to his toes.
The different facet to the change was an indication of Djokovic’s sheer dominance of his opponent.
While Medvedev was in a position to keep away from the psychological forfeiture of needing his opponent’s assist, the act of sportsmanship was not misplaced on tennis commentators.
Tennis journalist Craig Gabriel referred to them as “standover tactics”.
“He wants to stay down for the eight-count,” an American commentator stated on ESPN, referring to boxing guidelines that enable fighters to remain down on the bottom for as much as ten seconds earlier than they’re counted out.
“Daniil’s not ready to get up yet. That’s a nice moment.”
As Aussie nice Jelena Dokic stated on the time — borrowing former US Open champ Andy Roddick’s well-known phrase — Djokovic “first takes your legs and then he takes your heart and your soul”.
The two combatants have been nothing however class when talking about one another throughout the trophy ceremony that adopted the match.
Medvedev was gracious in defeat and heaped reward on the dominance of his opponent.
“First of all I want to ask Novak, what are you still doing here? C’mon. … I feel like I have not a bad career and I have 20 titles. You have 24 Grand Slams. Wow,” he stated.
He later stated: “When we first played I was probably 500th in the world. And he was super kind to me,” Medvedev stated.
“Nothing special, but he treated me like a normal person. And he still does. Nothing changed: 24, 30, 12 Grand Slams? Nothing changes.
“And I think that’s something great about a person you can say.”
Djokovic’s win makes him the oldest US Open champion of the Open period since Ken Rosewall again in 1970 and secures him his fourth US Open crown.
In heartwarming scenes after his victory Djokovic celebrated along with his youngsters Stefan and Tara earlier than reveling within the second along with his crew.
“It means the world to me. I’m really living my childhood dream,” Djokovic stated.
“To compete at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much coming from very difficult circumstances and adversities during the 90s, a couple of wars in our country and being able to push that through.
“Especially for my parents, giving a lot of sacrifice to support me and play this very expensive sport at the time, not affordable.
“I fell in love with tennis, it was quite a choice, but incredible resilience, believe from my parents and all the people around me all these years, everyone. This is your trophy as much as is mine. I love you.”
Source: www.news.com.au
