Daniil Medvedev admits he will have to be the “best-ever version of myself” if he is to deny Novak Djokovic an historic twenty fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open on Sunday.
Medvedev shocked defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Friday to transfer into the final, denying tennis followers the blockbuster end to the Grand Slam season that they had been hoping to see.
A final involving former-US Open champions Medvedev and three-time winner Novak Djokovic is one of apparent prime quality however not the subsequent chapter in tennis’ hottest rivalry of Djokovic and Alcaraz that has had the sport buzzing.
Highlights of Medvedev’s beautiful win in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals
There will be some juicy subplots to Sunday’s final with Djokovic searching a fourth title in New York that might see him equal Margaret Court’s file haul of 24 Grand Slams and, together with it, a very good measure of revenge on Medvedev.
Highlights of Djokovic’s straight-sets victory in opposition to Ben Shelton to attain his tenth US Open final
The final time Djokovic and Medvedev clashed at the US Open was the 2021 final, the place the Russian claimed his solely main up to now and denied the Serb a uncommon calendar Grand Slam.
“The challenge is you are playing a guy who has won 23 Grand Slams and I have only one,” stated Medvedev, who additionally reached the 2019 final dropping to Rafael Nadal and will be showing in his third US Open final in 5 years and his fifth Grand Slam title match in all.
“When I beat him here I managed to play better than myself and I need to do it again there is no other way.”
The third seed added: “Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”
Djokovic, in the meantime, has an unbelievable file of 26 wins and one loss in Grand Slam matches this 12 months with one match left.
Carlos Alcaraz joked Medvedev might at all times discover the passing shot from his ‘home’ after he surprised the defending champion in New York
He will return to world No 1 on Monday however the 36-year-old says the majors are what retains him motivated.
“No doubt that the Grand Slams are the biggest goals and objectives that I have. So I set my schedule so that I could perform at my best in these tournaments, and that’s what happened again this year,” stated Djokovic.
“Playing in all four finals of all four Slams in a season is amazing. It’s the highest achievement I can think about when I start the season. That’s what I dream about, that’s what I really wanted, that’s where I want to be, in this kind of position.
“There is one other match left, so of course the dialog will be most likely even higher if I win the title. But undoubtedly no matter occurs, I’m extraordinarily proud and content material with what I have achieved this 12 months.”
Djokovic confirmed his powers of improvisation by hitting this sensational shot spherical the submit throughout his victory in the semi-finals
Who are the consultants predicting will win?
Karthi Gnanasegaram is predicting Djokovic to win in 4 units
Sky Sports analyst Karthi Gnanasegaram says:
“Medvedev played amazingly well in the semi-final. I do though think Djokovic has been through the 24th scenario already so I think this time he does it. I think he’ll be calmer than he was in 2021. He knows Medvedev. I think Djokovic in four sets for the final. If Medvedev plays like he did [in the semi-final] I think it’ll be really tough. But I don’t think he will play like he did.”
Commentator Jonathan Overend says:
“I think 2021 will play on Novak’s mind and I think Daniil is more than capable of repeating that actually. But I just think Novak looked so determined to withstand the Shelton onslaught in the semi-final. He just looked so good, so strong. And when Shelton had one amazing moment, it was inevitable that Novak would then respond with two or three moments in his favour and that just sucked belief from the stadium, not so much Shelton but the stadium. I think he can do the same to Medvedev. I think Daniil will have some big moments but I think Novak will win the big points and I think Novak will win and I think he’ll win in straight sets.”
The US Open on Sky Sports
Roger Federer has showcased his excellent through-the-leg ‘tweener’ photographs on a number of events at the US Open
Tennis is again on Sky, including to the current sports activities portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the house of stay sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports’ new combined actuality studio options a number of customized constructed LED screens, built-in gentle ‘sabres’, and an open cover roof, making the house alive with color and vitality to replicate the vibrancy of the final Grand Slam of the 12 months.
Rafael Nadal hit an unbelievable shot round internet in opposition to Marin Cilic in 2019, a lot to Tiger Woods’ delight
Relive Andy Murray’s rollercoaster profession at the US Open, which noticed him declare his maiden main title in 2012
With built-in AR capabilities, a flexible LED ground, and a ‘fourth wall’, the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive atmosphere. Our tennis consultants will take the viewer into the eyes of the gamers for knowledgeable Hawkeye evaluation and perception as the match progresses.
The expertise concerned permits us to add a whole new dimension and will convey clients nearer to the motion.
Highlights of matches will be accessible throughout Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will additionally be accessible of the Sky Sports web site and app, the place there will additionally be a day by day stay textual content commentary on the Sky Sports web site and app, in addition to stay scores, stories, evaluation and options.
Stream the US Open on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel anytime.
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