Daniil Medvedev dashed the Grand Slam dreams of Novak Djokovic with a surprisingly one-sided 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 decision in the U.S. Open final.
While winning his first major title, Medvedev denied Djokovic from becoming only the third man in the history of tennis from winning the Grand Slam, sweeping all four major championship titles in a single year. Djokovic, the winner of the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon earlier in the year, was also looking to win his 21st major singles title, which would also be the all-time record. Djokovic was looking to join Don Budge, who won the first Grand Slam in 1938, and Rod Laver, who won two Grand Slams in 1962 and 1969, as the only men to win Grand Slams and he know remains tied with chief rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the all-time men’s lead in major titles won by a man with 20.
Calling the match on ESPN, John McEnroe blamed nerves and fatigue for Djokovic’s lackluster performance. The 35-year-old Djokovic was extended to four sets in his third round match with Kei Nishikori in the third round, Jenson Brooksby in the fourth round and Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals, while going five sets against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. Medvedev, a finalist at the 2019 U.S. Open falling to Rafael Nadal in an epic five-set match, avenged his one-sided loss to Djokovic in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
