That’s all from another cracking tournament at Flushing Meadows. Thanks as always following along with us and be sure to check out Kevin Mitchell’s full match report.
Nadal is second to speak and calls it “one of the most emotional nights of my tennis career”. He offers generous congratulations to Medvedev then turns directly to the crowd, giving them thanks for how they pushed him through.
A big round of applause from the Ashe Stadium crowd as Medvedev is announced. He gives a warm congratulations to Nadal and jokes about the video they showed before the ceremony which showed each of the Spaniard’s 19 grand slam wins: “I was thinking to myself: ‘If I won, what would they show?’”
He then addressed the crowd directly, with whom he shared a somewhat antagonistic relationship during his run to the final.
“I want to talk to you guys,” Medvedev says. “I know earlier in the tournament I said something in bad way, now I want to say it in a good way. It’s because of your energy guys I was here in the final. Tonight is going to be always in my mind because I played in the biggest court in the tennis world and in the third set when I was thinking which speech should I give, you guys were pushing me because you wanted to see more tennis and because of you guys I was fighting like hell.”
The trophy ceremony is just getting under way. Here’s a look at today’s final statistics. Medvedev wins 51 points at the net compared to 50 for Nadal. Hardly a baseline-only battle.
Official stats from today’s #USOpen final. pic.twitter.com/1Q4hajrWOi
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) September 9, 2019
Updated
What a match. Spain’s Rafael Nadal has won his fourth US Open title and 19th major championship with a 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 win over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev after four hours and 50 minutes.
Now for the history:
- Nadal has won his fifth grand slam title since turning 30, surpassing a record shared by Djokovic, Federer, Laver and Rosewall (four apiece)
- He’s the second-oldest US Open champion in the Open era after Ken Rosewall (35) in 1970
- He’s won multiple grand slam titles for the fifth time in his career (2008, 2010, 2013 and 2017)
Updated
Rafael Nadal wins his fourth US Open title!
Fifth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 4-6 Nadal
Nadal serving with new balls for the title and he quickly falls behind love-15 on a netted backhand, but gets it to 15-all with an extraordinary sliced lob backhand into the corner. Now a scratchy forehand by Nadal puts him 15-30 down, but he gets it to 30-all with a big serve to the body that Medvedev can’t wrestle back. And now Nadal frames a forehand six shots into a baseline rally and it’s out, giving Medvedev a break point and a chance to level this fifth set. Nadal saves it with a thunderous forehand into the corner that Medvedev can’t return for deuce. More chant sof “Ra-fa! Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” cascade down from the upper deck. Now Nadal follows with a drop shot winner and he’s got a third championship point. And this time he converts when Medvedev sends a return long!
Updated
Fifth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 4-5 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev wins the first point with an overhead winner, but Nadal rattles off two quick points and he’s two points from the championship. A backhand misfire by Nadal gets it to 30-all, but a deft touch volley by the Spaniard at the net gives him a championship point! Could this be it? Not yet! Medvedev crushes a backhand winner early in the point to save it for deuce. Nadal then hits forehand passing winner to set up a second championship point, but Medvedev saves that one too with a massive second serve. Now Medvedev crushes a 127mph ace down the middle – as some mouth-breather in the mezzanine screams “Go Rafa!” at the height of his toss – but he follows it with another unforced error for another deuce. Now Medvedev pounds another 127mph ace and this time he holds when Nadal can’t return a running backhand into the court. The Spaniard will have a second chance to serve for the championship after the change of ends.
Updated
Medvedev breaks in eighth game of fifth set!
Fifth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 3-5 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal smacks his 57th winner early in the point for 15-love, then mixes in his fourth double fault of the match for 15-all. Now another extended rally erupts with Nadal winning the point after Medvedev missing a forehand while falling backwards for 30-15. Chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” echo throughout the building as chair umpire Ali Nili attemps to restore order. Nadal then sends a forehand past the baseline for 30-all and both these guys look completely gassed as they attempt to right themselves between points. Now Nadal goes wide ona backhand and it’s a break-point chance for Medvedev. Oh wow. And now another time violation for Nadal which means he’ll be starting on his second serve ... and then he double-faults! Medvedev has gotten one of the breaks back!
Updated
Nadal breaks in seventh game of fifth set!
Fifth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 2-5 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
It’s clearly a must-hold for Medvedev, but he’s pushed to 30-all from 30-love and it feels like this could be the match in these next couple of points. The Nadal hits a drop shot winner for 30-40 and he will have a break point for a chance to serve for the championship. And he converts it when Medvedev badly misses an overhead early in the point. Hasty, that. The world No 2 to serve for a fourth US Open title after the change of ends.
Updated
Fifth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 2-4 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal could have used a stress-free service game after the eight-minute drama that preceded and that’s what he got, racing ahead to 40-love and with three quick points off his first serve before slicing a backhand volley winner on the approach to consolidate at 15 and bring the crowd to their feet!
Nadal breaks in fifth game of fifth set!
Fifth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 2-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev opens with a 128mph ace down the middle – that’s tied for his fastest of the match – then sits back as Nadal makes two more unforced errors off the forehand for 40-love. Nadal pulls two points back on a pair of baseline misfires by the Russian, then gets it to deuce with a backhand winner. Medvedev then mixes in a too-casual miss of the backhand and Nadal has a break point ... but the Russian brushes it aside with a 126mph ace wide. Nadal then stakes a second break chance and this time he converts with a tightly angled backhand winner on the approach at the end of a 28-stroke rally. What is actual life.
Updated
Fifth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 2-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Back in a third set which seems like a lifetime ago, the more than 23,000 spectators here at Arthur Ashe Stadium were behind Medvedev because they wanted more tennis. Now they’re squarely behind Nadal, trying to will him toward the finish line at full throat more than four hours into this wonderful battle. Nadal is able to hold at 15, putting the pressure back on the world No 5.
Fifth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 2-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev holds easily, capping it with a backhand volley winner at the net. The Russian is 17-for-20 on serve and volley points today. He was 4-for-5 on serve and volley points in the first six matches of this tournament.
Fifth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 1-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal falls behind love-30 and 15-40 on his serve and Medvedev has a pair of break points early in the fifth! The 19-time major champion is simply getting bossed around the court by the grand slam final debutant’s forehand. Nadal saves them both with the forehand, but then badly misses a volley at the net to give the Russian a third break chance. Now a fatigued Nadal is called for a second time violation which results in the loss of his first serve (break point down!), but he saves it with a forehand and wins two more points from there – capped by a 121mph service winner down the middle – to hold. Phew!
Fifth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 1-0 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev holds easily to open the fifth. Bear in mind: Nadal’s record at major tournaments when leading by two sets is 205-1, while Medvedev’s lifetime record in five-set matches is 0-4. The Russian is attempting to become the first player to win from two sets down in a US Open final since Pancho Gonzales won 16-18, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 over Ted Schroeder in 1949.
Updated
Medvedev wins fourth set, 6-4!
Medvedev breaks in 10th game of fourth set!
Fourth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 Nadal
Nadal races ahead and crunches a 118mph ace down the middle for 40-15, but follows with a mishit forehand for 40-30. Then Medvedev hits a highlight-reel passing forehand into the corner for deuce! Oh boy! Medvedev is two points from forcing a decider. Nadal then makes an unforced error on the next point and Medvedev responds with an outrageous backhand passing winner into the corner to force a fifth!
Fourth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 5-4 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
And Medvedev answers Nadal’s easy service game with a love hold of his own, capping it with a 127mph ace down the pipe. Nadal will serve to stay in the fourth set after the changeover.
Fourth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 4-4 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal holds at love. Four quick and tidy points. 4-all in the fourth.
Fourth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 4-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev holds at 30, punching in his eighth and ninth aces for good measure. It feels like a completely different match than an hour ago.
Fourth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 3-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal holds for 3-all as night has fallen on Arthur Ashe Stadium and the clock hits three hours and 30 minutes. Medvedev it seems has figured out to play Nadal on the fly, coming in again and again to clearly trouble his Spanish opponent: 3-for-4 in this set and 36-of-45 on the day.
Fourth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 3-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev hits a 123mph ace for 30-love and appears rolling toward an easy hold, but he follows with three straight unforced errors off the backhand for 30-40 and a break point. Now Medvedev goes with a serve and volley behind a second serve break point down (!) and Nadal misses the passing shot. Break point saved. Medvedev follows with an overhead winner for game point, but makes another backhand error for deuce. Now Medvedev makes his fifth unforced error off the backhand in just this game to gift Nadal a second break point, but it’s saved when Nadal misfires on a backhand. Two quick points for the Russian and he’s held going into the change of ends.
Fourth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 2-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal opens with his 40th winner of the match (compared to 29 unforced errors), then rattles off three quick points capped by a 107mph ace twisting out wide for a hold at love.
Fourth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 2-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
A whiff of a chance here for Nadal at 30-all on Medvedev’s serve, but the Spaniard nets a pair of returns and they’ll head to the changeover on serve early in the fourth.
Fourth set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 1-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal makes his third double fault of the match for love-15, then nets backhand for love-30. Medvedev has won 15 of the last 20 points and Nadal is in a spot of trouble early in the fourth. The Spaniard wins two quick points, but then misfires off a forehand into the net off the back foot to go break point down. Medvedev then puts a backhand into the net and he’ll rue that one! It was a bit of a sitter and the miss lets Nadal off the hook. The world No 2 then hits a backhand winner down the line punctuated by a lawnmower fist pump and follows it with a 125mph ace down the middle for the hold!
Fourth set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev will serve in front in the fourth after breaking in the final game of the third. He races to 40-love, but Nadal answers with three straight winners for deuce. Then Medvedev rips a backhand past an approaching Nadal for game point, then hits another backhand winner to hold. It’s been three full games since Medvedev has hit an unforced error.
Mailbox time. This email from Abhijato Sensarma comes in during the set break.
The dominance of the Big Three for these many years, even after reaching the ages they have, is an unparalleled success story in sports. I think we should give it up for Nadal even more. He’s perennially the world’s best on clay courts; yet, Djokovic has had the upper hand on clay courts for a long time now. Granted that the Serbian was forced to make an early exit from the tournament, but the hard court jinx has been broken for Nadal in the process. Will he now have a better chance of chasing Federer’s Slam record down?
Jinx, you say? We’re not through yet here ...
Medvedev wins third set, 7-5!
Medvedev breaks in 12th game of third set!
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 7-5 Nadal
Medvedev takes the first point off Nadal’s serve by winning an 18-shot rally, then another with a running forehand that Nadal can’t catch up to. It’s love-30 and the crowd is buzzing! And Medvedev crushes a forehand winner down the line for triple set point! Oh wow! Triple set point for the Russian! Nadal saves the first with a backhand volley winner, but Medvedev rips a backhand winner behind the Spaniard on the next point to claim the break and the third set. Well well well.
Updated
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 6-5 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev gets the best of Nadal in a 27-stroke rally to open the game, then follows with a 117mph ace, a backhand volley winner and a 120mph ace. He’s still here. And now Nadal will serve to force a third-set tiebreaker.
Third set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 5-5 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Another elementary service game for Nadal, who holds at love for 5-all. Back-to-back love holds for Nadal since he was broken. Medvedev’s turn.
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 5-4 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev is pushed to 30-all on his serve, then Nadal takes command of a 28-shot exchange – the longest rally of the match – with a battery of inside-out forehands before winning it with a forehand for a break-point chance. Feels like a match point, really. And Medvedev saves it by coming forward for a forehand overhand winner that winds up in the President’s Box. Nadal then hits a forehand passing winner for another break point, but Medvedev saves it again when Nadal puts a bouncing overhead into the net. Deuce. Medvedev getting run ragged here and looks completely gassed, but he delivers a leaping backhand volley for game point and earns the hold with an overhead winner. The pressure shifts to Nadal after the changeover.
Woolie Madden checks in, via email:
It’s just mad, isn’t it – you really do feel that the era of the Big Three will end, not with any of them being supplanted at the top by a new generation of talent, but with the Big Three themselves choosing to call it a day. It’s not even like they’re players in their thirties who are still mixing it with the best; they’re on an entirely different level to the young pretenders.
Third set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 4-4 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Another easy service game for the Spaniard, who holds at love. On the second point Nadal struck his 31st winner of the match (against 23 unforced errors) with a forehand volley at the end of a grueling 25-shot rally.
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 4-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev consolidates the break nicely, holding at 15. Some clever variety from the Russian in that hold, including a cheeky drop shot winner at the end of a 17-stroke exchange to set up game point.
Medvedev breaks in sixth game of third set!
Third set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 3-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Credit to Medvedev, who is battling out here despite what feels like an insurmountable deficit. He wins two quick points on Nadal’s serve for love-30, then Nadal double-faults for 15-40 and a pair of break-point chance. Remember, Medvedev hasn’t broken since Nadal’s opening service game or even seen a break point since the Spaniard’s first serve in the second. Nadal saves them both with back-to-back backhand volley winners for deuce, but gives Medvedev a third break point when he biffs an overhead winner after a 24-shot rally. This time Medvedev converts when Nadal misses a backhand from the baseline! We’re back on serve in the third.
Nadal breaks in fifth game of third set!
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 2-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Nadal pushes Medvedev to 30-all, then the Russian makes a forehand error from the baseline for 30-40. It’s a break-point chance for the Spaniard and it feels like a crucial one ... and he converts it when Medvedev floats a backhand into the net!
Simon McMahon checks in with a prediction, via email:
Evening Bryan. Call me crazy if you want, but I’m calling this for Rafa here and now. Straight sets. I think he’s got a good chance in Paris next year too ...
Nice one, Simon. Got any stock tips?
Third set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 2-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
A flagging Medvedev is throwing everything he’s got at Nadal in the Spaniard’s service games, but it’s all coming right back at him. Nadal caps an exhausting 23-shot rally with a forehand volley winner for 40-15, then holds his serve with an overhead winner.
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 2-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev holds at love, finishing it off with a 119mph ace out wide.
Third set: *Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 1-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal cruises to another hold to keep step early in the third. That first-serve percentage continues to improve: it’s up to 56% now after starting in the 35% range.
Third set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6, 1-0 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev holds at 15 to open the third set, crunching a 121mph ace along the way.
Nadal wins second set, 6-3!
Second set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-6 Nadal
Nadal opens with a forehand winner but Medvedev responds with two quick points for 15-30. Nadal then wins an easy point off his first serve followed by a wild miss by Medvedev for set point ... and he converts with a sharply angled forehand into the corner that Medvedev can’t return into the court. Nadal wins the second after 48 minutes and is one set from a fourth US Open title and 19th overall major championship.
Second set: Medvedev 5-7, 3-5 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
It’s something of a must-hold for Medvedev, whose career record in five-set matches is 0-4. And he delivers with his first love hold of the afternoon for 3-5. Now can he break Nadal’s serve?
Second set: *Medvedev 5-7, 2-5 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal backs up the break convincingly, sealing the hold at 15 when Medvedev makes his 14th unforced error off the backhand. The Russian will serve to stay in the second set after the change of ends.
Nadal breaks in sixth game of second set!
Second set: Medvedev 5-7, 2-4 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev falls behind love-15 then 15-30. Then a 26-stroke rally breaks out which finally ends when Nadal forces an error with a passing backhand. Two break points for the Spaniard but he needs only one, winning quick point off the forehand for the break of serve!
Second set: *Medvedev 5-7, 2-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal holds at 15. Two more unforced errors from the Medvedev backhand, who’s made 13 on that side.
Second set: Medvedev 5-7, 2-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Big trouble for Medvedev as he makes his 22nd, 23rd and 24th unforced errors in quick succession to fall behind love-40. He saves the first with a winner off a quick net approach, then another with a forehand winner to cap a 17-stroke baseline rally, then the third with a backhand winner from the baseline. Another misfire from the baseline gives Nadal a fourth break point but Medvedev saves that too with an overhead that Nadal can’t return in play. From there Medvedev is able to spring the escape with a couple of quick points.
Second set: *Medvedev 5-7, 1-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal holds at 30. He’s got that first-serve percentage up to 54% on the day after an anemic start.
Second set: Medvedev 5-7, 1-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev comes to net only to get passed by a Nadal backhand, but he answers with four quick points for a drama-free hold.
Second set: *Medvedev 5-7, 0-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
A promising chance for Medvedev to get right back into it as he wins the first two points of the second set on Nadal’s serve. The Spaniard pulls back for 30-all but Medvedev pounds a forehand winner for 30-40 and a break-point opportunity. Nadal saves it when Medvedev misses a short backhand, already his 11th unforced error off that side today. From there Nadal is able to hold, capping it with a 123mph service winner down the middle.
Nadal wins first set, 7-5!
Nadal breaks in 12th game of first set!
First set: Medvedev 5-7 Nadal
Medvedev falls behind love-15 and 15-30, then 15-40 when Nadal caps an 18-stroke rally with a forehand winner. Two sets points on Medvedev’s serve. The Russian saves the first when Nadal makes another unforced error off the backhand at the end of a 19-shot exchange, but Medvedev misses on a volley when Nadal tries a lob winner and he’s broken him to take the first set after 62 minutes!
First set: *Medvedev 5-6 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal races ahead 30-love and he’s now won 14 straight points on his serve. Medvedev is able to push it to 40-30 but Nadal holds with a winner at the net and now the Russian will serve to stay in the first set.
First set: Medvedev 5-5 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev is pushed every step of the way during an eight-minute, 14-point service game before Nadal finally blinks with a netted forehand from the baseline. Medvedev playing big with 14 winners to 18 unforced errors (compared to six winners and eight unforced errors for Nadal). We’re at 5-all in the opener as the clock drifts toward the hour mark.
First set: *Medvedev 4-5 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal breezes through another love hold, capping it with a 108mph ace out wide. He’s won 12 straight points on his serve since getting broken. And he’s doing it with a low first-serve percentage (46%).
First set: Medvedev 4-4 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev makes his 10th, 11th and 12th unforced errors to fall behind love-15 then 15-40. Two break-point chances for Nadal. Medvedev saves the first with a forehand volley winner, then the second with a winner off a serve and volley. Medvedev gets to game point with another volley winner but Nadal pulls one back for another deuce. Now Medvedev makes his second double fault of the day to go break point down again, but Medvedev saves it with a backhand winner (upheld by a challenge) followed by two quick points for the hold. Medvedev playing more assertively over the last few minutes: he hit five winners in that last game after only three in the first seven games. He needs to keep that up because counter-punching won’t do it.
Updated
First set: *Medvedev 3-4 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Medvedev falls behind love-15 on a double fault which Nadal must challenge to confirm, but the Russian rattles off four quick points for the hold.
First set: Medvedev 3-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev falls behind love-15 on a double fault which Nadal must challenge to confirm, but the Russian rattles off four quick points for the hold.
First set: *Medvedev 2-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Nadal consolidates in convincing fashion with the love hold. We’re even steven in the opening. Neither man playing his best tennis so far, but you can’t help but feel Medvedev may have let an opportunity slip in giving back that break so fast when Nadal was a bit out of sorts.
Nadal breaks in fourth game of first set!
First set: Medvedev 2-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Nadal is watching no time in trying to get back on level terms, taking the ball early on a couple of points to put Medvedev behind love-30. Medvedev gets it to 30-all, but Nadal rips a forehand winner to set up break point and then converts with a backhand from the baseline that Medvedev can’t return.
Medvedev breaks in third game of first set!
First set: *Medvedev 2-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Medvedev hits a forehand winner to get into Nadal’s service game at love-15. The Spaniard wins the next two points on gruelling rallies of 21 and 17 shots, but Medvedev hits winners on the next two points to set up another break-point chance. This time he converts when Nadal misses badly on forehand from the baseline early in the point. First blood to the young Russian as we head into the changeover. A key early statistic is Nadal’s struggle on his serve: so far he’s gotten just 5-of-14 first serves in (36%).
First set: Medvedev 1-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)
Medvedev holds at 30 in his opening service game, anchored by a big first serve that he’s getting in early.
First set: *Medvedev 0-1 Nadal (*denotes next server)
Big buzz on Ashe as Nadal steps to the baseline to serve. Medvedev standing so far back awaiting the return, nearly in the first row. Nadal wins the first point when Medvedev makes an unforced error on a backhand from the baseline, then another with a goregeous forehand winner from around the netpost. But Medvedev pushes it to 30-all when Nadal double-faults then misfires on a baseline forehand. Next Medvedev gets the best of his opponent with a wicked backhand at the end of a 16-stroke rally and the Russian will have an early break-point opportunity. Nadal is given a warning for a time violation – next time it will be a fault – then smashes a service winner for deuce. Nadal then rattles off two quick points for the opening hold.
The players have emerged from the tunnel! First comes Medvedev, who walks out to a smattering of boos but lots of cheers from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. Then it’s Nadal, the crowd favorite who is greeted by roaring applause. Nadal wins the toss and elects to serve. Now they’re going through the warm-ups. We should be under way in the next few minutes.
Tale of the tape
Here’s a look at how today’s finalists match up. Nadal won the only previous meeting between the pair in the Montreal final on 11 August, strolling to a 6-0, 6-3 victory.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for today’s US Open men’s final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. We’ve got a delicious matchup in store between the second-ranked Nadal, who is bidding for his fourth title at Flushing Meadows, and the fifth-seeded Medvedev, who is making his major final debut as one of the hottest players on the men’s tour.
Medvedev, who is seeking to become the first men’s grand slam champion born in the 1990s, enters today’s match on a career-best 12-match win streak and has become only the third player in the Open era to reach the Washington, Canada, Cincinnati and US Open finals in the same season, joining Ivan Lendl in 1982 and Andre Agassi in 1995. He’s embraced his role as the villain of this tournament and rode the momentum all the way to the championship match.
Not that Nadal isn’t doing just fine himself. The 33-year-old Spaniard has won 26 of his last 27 matches, including a 6-3, 6-0 drubbing of Medvedev in last month’s Montreal final. A win today would lift him to a 19th career major title, pulling within one of Roger Federer atop the all-time leaderboard.
We should be under way in a little more than a half hour. Plenty more to come between now and then.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Kevin Mitchell on today’s final:
Not for the first time, John McEnroe stirred the game into debate when he asserted that Roger Federer may finish his career with fewer grand slam titles than Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. “Who would have thought that possible?” the walking quote asked on air shortly before Nadal stilled the robust challenge of the 23-year-old Italian Matteo Berrettini on Friday night to reach the final of the US Open for the fifth time, against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.
The Spaniard has won three of his 18 majors on this court, Federer has won five of his 20 here – in a row, the last of them 11 years ago – and Djokovic, the world No 1, has lifted three of 16 at Flushing Meadows. Federer and Djokovic have left town: the Swiss spent and hurting with a bad back, the Serb forced to quit with a shoulder injury.
Nadal, normally the member of the Big Three most susceptible to breakdown, is still standing and looking awesome again. But his ingrained sense of caution and respect would not allow him to entertain serious thoughts about moving to within one slam of Federer, who turned 38 three weeks ago, and push three clear of Djokovic.
You can read the full article here:
