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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Katy Murrells

Daniil Medvedev beats Grigor Dimitrov to reach US Open final – as it happened

Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates his victory against Grigor Dimitrov.
Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates his victory against Grigor Dimitrov. Photograph: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

The scoreline was harsh on Dimitrov but there’s no doubting Medvedev fully deserved that victory. He’s in the form of his life, and with his confidence so high and more time to recover, he’ll feel he has a chance against Nadal or Berrettini in the final. That’s it from me. But don’t go far – Tom Lutz is right here to cover the second semi-final. Thanks for your company. Bye!

Updated

Medvedev, whose prize (or perhaps punishment) for victory is a possible final against Rafael Nadal (who plays Matteo Berrettini next), speaks:

I have to tell you it sounds not bad [to be in a slam final]. As I said before, the tournament of controversies. In the first set he was much closer to win it, but I won, finally I’m here after three sets. I’m just happy to be in the final.

When I was going to the USA, I didn’t know it would be that good [winning 20 out of 22 matches]. I have to say I love the USA!

If someone told me it wouldn’t be easy because of cramping, or with the crowd, I would have thought I was going home. Finally I’m standing here before playing a final on Sunday and I’m just really happy.

Just as you guys will be watching [the second semi-final] here, I’ll be watching it with popcorn in front of the TV.

Updated

Medvedev beats Dimitrov 7-6, 6-4, 6-3!

Medvedev is demanding the ball back when he edges 30-15 ahead. It must be his lucky ball, because a serve and a miscued return from Dimitrov later and it’s 40-15, another two match points. Another failed return from Dimitrov and that’s that, Medvedev is through to his first grand slam final after a quite sensational summer! A member of the much-hyped Next Gen has finally reached a major final! He struts to the net, flapping his arms in an unorthodox and understated celebration, and after all the booing he’s experienced this tournament, even the crowd are cheering!

Updated

Third set: *Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 5-3 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Medvedev starts as he means to go on, by taking the first point. But Dimitrov shows great resolve to secure the next two, the second after a high-quality exchange. Medvedev gets to 30-all. A huge point. Will it be match point or game point? Match point, because Medvedev, once again having dug himself a trench beyond the baseline, holds firm and Dimitrov makes the error. Medvedev then decides to come out of it, getting a little over-excited and sending a backhand well long. Deuce. Advantage Medvedev, a second match point. Dimitrov nails his first serve and Medvedev can only shank into the skies. Deuce. Advantage Dimitrov. Game Dimitrov! But now Medvedev will serve for the match. And the stadium is virtually silent.

Updated

Third set: Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 5-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

At this stage, Dimitrov may have to hope that Medvedev loses his nerve so close to the finishing line. Medvedev is certainly a bit jittery, his first serve has gone missing in action, but Dimitrov just can’t take advantage on return, getting to 30 when he should really go further. The Bulgarian is on the brink, while Medvedev stands potentially only one game away from his first slam final.

Updated

Third set: *Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 4-2 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Medvedev holds with absolute ease, to 15, as does Dimitrov, but surely it’s too late for the Bulgarian. Even the crowd seem to have given up on their man, cheering with little belief when Dimitrov wraps up the game.

Third set: *Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 3-1 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Bad news for the Arthur Ashe patrons: Dimitrov has never won a match from two sets to love down. And that pattern seems unlikely to change here, when Dimitrov dips two break points down at 15-40 after a double fault. And the first break point pretty much sums up Dimitrov’s problem; he’s finding it so hard to hit through the Russian, who stands far behind the baseline, gets everything back so flat, and despite all the tape on his right arm and left leg, and the litany of injuries he’s had this fortnight, is just refusing to budge. Djokovic may have gone out of this tournament in the last 16 but this guy, with his masterful defence, is doing a pretty good impression of the world No 1.

Third set: Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 2-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

The crowd haven’t really been booing Medvedev today, but they’re almost silent as the Russian serves out to love at the start of the third set. And they certainly won’t be cheering if/when he completes the most significant victory of his career. The New York crowd clearly don’t forget. Just ask Novak Djokovic. He’s still paying for having a pop at Andy Roddick in 2008. Dimitrov, meanwhile, gets in on the love hold act, before Medvedev holds once more.

Medvedev wins the second set 6-4

Plenty of oohs and aaahs at 30-15, as Dimitrov repeatedly tries to pierce holes in Medvedev’s defence without success. 30-all. 40-30. Deuce, when Medvedev decides to become the aggressor and thwacks one way before cracking it the other. A superb point then plays out, and the crowd are on their feet when a backpedalling Dimitrov flicks down a smash before backing it up with another. Advantage Dimitrov. Deuce. Advantage Dimitrov. Deuce. Remember, Medvedev only needs another two points for the set. Now it’s just one, because Dimitrov chips and charges and Medvedev marmalises a backhand past the Bulgarian. And Dimitrov dumps into the net on set point! Medvedev is now only a set away from his first slam final, after edging a captivating climax to the second chapter of this match.

Updated

Second set: Medvedev 7-6, 5-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

Dimitrov somehow drags himself to 15-all with a backhand at full stretch which sneaks down the line for the winner. And they then outdo the 33-shot exchange of the previous game with a 39-shot duel, which is won by Medvedev. The Russian, sucking for air, buys himself a little time by challenging the call on his first serve. He’s unsuccessful. And he goes on to lose the point after a failed foray to the net. He hasn’t won a point there all set. “These long rallies are not going to be helpful for whoever has to face Nadal in the final,” points out Adam Hirst. “Assuming blahblahblah …”

The game goes to deuce, and then at Medvedev’s advantage Dimitrov shows lovely touch to draw Medvedev forward before pinging the perfect lob over his 6ft 6in opponent. Dimitrov invites Medvedev to the net again on the next point, but this time Medvedev is victorious after a bit of rat-a-tat. Medvedev needs another advantage or two before eventually squeezing through the most absorbing game of the match so far.

Updated

Second set: *Medvedev 7-6, 4-4 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Watching Medvedev’s mid-match snacking has made me rather hungry, so it’s a good thing the two engage in a 33-shot rally to give me a bit of time to much on some rice cakes. Dimitrov eventually brings the point to an end with a vicious inside-out forehand. That’s the highlight of a game in which Dimitrov holds to 15.

Second set: Medvedev 7-6, 4-3 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

Medvedev munches on his third banana of the match at the changeover, but it doesn’t give him sufficient energy to halt Dimitrov’s mini-revival. Dimitrov holds to 30, and then Medvedev holds himself. Two consecutive holds, strange times. That hasn’t happened in a while.

Second set: Medvedev 7-6, 3-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

But just as in the early stages of the first set, the momentum is ebbing and flowing. 0-40, three break-back points for Dimitrov, after a little run-in at the net when Dimitrov’s backhand clips the tape and wrongfoots Medvedev, who gestures at his opponent as if to say: “Are you going to apologise?” Medvedev may want to pipe down given the way he’s been riling the crowd this tournament. But I digress. All three break points go begging. But here’s a fourth at Dimitrov’s advantage, after a seventh double fault from Medvedev. The crowd are screaming, willing their chosen man to get back into this. And that he does. How important could that prove to be?

Second set: *Medvedev 7-6, 3-1 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

“Evening Katy,” says a tipsy Simon McMahon. “I’ll apologise in advance, since I’ve had a few, but after Scotland’s tremendous 2-1 defeat to Russia at Hampden, I’m really rooting for Andy tonight. We need him. He’ll sort Medvedev out next year, no doubt.” Well Dimitrov can’t sort Medvedev out, because Medvedev has advantage on the Bulgarian’s serve. Medvedev is just such a hard player to break down, and he seems to be breaking Dimitrov’s resolve just a little here. The first break point comes and goes but here’s a second. With Dimitrov at the net, Medvedev waits for his opponent to pick his side, and then sends a backhand pass the other way. That’s three games on the spin for the rising Russian.

Updated

Second set: Medvedev 7-6, 2-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

But then it’s Dimitrov who’s shrugging his shoulders when he’s promptly broken to love. What a weak concession from the Bulgarian, who ripped up his tactics there, getting impatient with the backhand slice and instead launching too many premature attacks. Medvedev then holds to 30, for the first hold of this set.

Second set: Medvedev 7-6, 0-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

Agreed Jack. If Dimitrov can stick to his game plan he’s still capable of winning this semi-final. As if to illustrate the point, Dimitrov breaks right at the start of the second, from deuce, though that was more about Medvedev’s errors than exceptional play from Dimitrov. Cue a sarcastic thumbs-up from Medvedev to his box.

Medvedev wins the first-set tie-break 7-5

... before chucking in a double fault. 4-3 Medvedev, so they’re back on serve. But then it’s Dimitrov’s turn to get in on the double faulting act. 5-3 Medvedev. 5-4, when Medvedev goes long. The Russian has two points on his racket to close out the set, but there hasn’t been much straighforward about this first set. Medvedev makes the error and it’s 5-5. Dimitrov tries to slice and dice Medvedev into submission on the next point, it’s the right tactic, but when he then comes to pull the trigger he blows himself up. So Medvedev has a set point at 6-5 on Dimitrov’s serve ... Medvedev defends superbly and Dimitrov, slightly off-balance, balloons long! Medvedev pinches the first set after an hour, despite Dimitrov being the aggressor, having the stats in his favour and holding that set point in game 12.

Updated

First-set tie-break: *Medvedev 4-2 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Will Dimitrov manage to put that missed set point out of his mind? He gets the first mini-break with a delicate backhand volley for 2-0. But Medvedev, with perhaps a bit more zip in his serve, matches Dimitrov with the next two points for 2-2. And then overtakes him for 4-2 at the changeover ...

First set: Medvedev 6-6 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

A quite ridiculous shot from Medvedev at 15-all when his squash shot under such pressure from Dimitrov somehow lands on the line. That’s one for the highlights package. 30-15. 40-15. Dimitrov wants to challenge but he hasn’t got any left. But it matters not because he rattles off the next three points to get to his advantage, and more importantly set point. Medvedev repels it, and eventually holds when Dimitrov’s forehand flies off the tape and into the tramlines, when the Bulgarian really should have done better. So it’s tie-break time!

First set: *Medvedev 5-6 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

There’s nothing giving here. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. That’s 11 consecutive points on serve for Dimitrov, who’s guaranteed himself at least a tie-break.

First set: Medvedev 5-5 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

Medvedev tightens up with a foot fault at 30-all but Dimitrov doesn’t take advantage. Medvedev comes through from there and with 41 minutes gone, both players are refusing to blink at the business end of this first set. Given Medvedev’s physical ailments this fortnight, perhaps it’s a set that he needs to win more than Dimitrov.

First set: *Medvedev 4-5 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

A perfect service game from Dimitrov, his first of the match, leaves Medvedev knowing he must hold to stay in the set. And with little to talk about in that game, John McEnroe muses on the commentary at the changeover about how Dimitrov has apparently never touched a drop of alcohol, such is his devotion to tennis. These tee-total tennis players, eh? I wonder if he did break his ban whether he’d end up brushing his teeth with his face cream a la Andy Murray.

First set: Medvedev 4-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

Despite Dimitrov having the greater grand slam pedigree and experience, there’s a sense he has less to lose in this match than Medvedev, what with Dimitrov having absolutely no expectations on him coming into the tournament. Dimitrov is pushing Medvedev at 30-all, but a strong serve gets Medvedev out of trouble. 40-30. And the net gods are on Medvedev’s side when his shot clips the tape and just trickles over, and Dimitrov doesn’t have enough time to respond.

First set: *Medvedev 3-4 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

The racket switch seems to be paying off here, as Medvedev secures a no-nonsense hold to 15. He then takes the first point on Dimitrov’s serve for 0-15, before the Bulgarian restores parity with one of those beautiful one-handed backhands down the line. 15-all. Both players are hitting sweet and true during the next exchange, which Medvedev edges. 15-30. 30-all. There’s a feeling after the topsy-turvy start that both players are finding their range at the same time. A metronomic fifth point plays out, Dimitrov decides he’s had enough of moving right and left and right and left, and goes for broke. 30-40, break point Medvedev. A great kick-serve bamboozles Medvedev, who at deuce is then duped by a delightful drop shot. Advantage Dimitrov. Game Dimitrov.

Updated

First set: *Medvedev 2-3 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Dimitrov races to 30-0 on serve, making that nine of the last 10 points he’s won. Medvedev, usually a model of consistency, decides his racket is to blame and rushes to his chair to get another one. It makes little difference on the next point, as Dimitrov gets to 40-0. Medvedev reduces his arrears to 40-15 but gets no further, because Dimitrov dispatches a ferocious forehand down the line before charging forward to emphatically smash away Medvedev’s reply. That’s three games on the spin for Dimitrov from 2-0 down.

Updated

First set: Medvedev 2-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

At 15-0, Medvedev is skipping and split stepping his way along the baseline, showing no signs of the physical problems that affected him against Wawrinka. It felt as if he’d had medical attention to practically every part of his body by the end of that quarter-final. Despite Medvedev’s sprightliness, Dimitrov is staying with the Russian, and has another couple of break points to add to the ones he had in Medvedev’s opening service game. This time he gets the job done after a face-off at the net. We’re back on serve.

First set: Medvedev* 2-1 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

There’s a speaker malfunction at 15-all, just as Dimitrov is about to serve. It perhaps puts the Bulgarian off his first serve – but he makes the second and then comes out on top in his best point of the match so far. Cue the biggest cheer of the match so far. The crowd have nailed their colours firmly to the mast already. 30-15. 40-15. And Dimitrov holds with a stinging first serve, which Medvedev gets a racket to but can only slap into the net.

First set: Medvedev 2-0 Dimitrov* (*denotes next server)

But Medvedev is feeling the nerves too. Soon it’s 15-40, two break-back points, courtesy of two double faults. Dimitrov decides to seize the initiative on the first, fizzing a forehand down the line before sprinting into the net, but Medvedev pulls off the pass. A strong first serve – only Medvedev’s second of the game – and Dimitrov can’t get that back into play. Deuce. Advantage Medvedev. Game Medvedev, when Dimitrov chops a harmless slice well long.

First set: Medvedev* 1-0 Dimitrov (*denotes next server)

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re ready to play, so please take your seats. Dimitrov is serving first – and promptly sends his first delivery into the net. He makes the second serve, and a lengthy rally ensues, 20 shots in total, with both players just feeling each other out, unwilling to pull the trigger. Medvedev prevails. 0-15. Dimitrov then drills out for 0-30. And then it’s 0-40, when Hawk-Eye confirms Dimitrov’s effort missed by about a millimetre. So already a triple break point ... and Dimitrov disappointingly wafts wide. Does the Bulgarian have the belief to win this match? The early signs suggest perhaps he has doubts.

Two minutes to go. So there’s just enough time to talk tactics. You might think Medvedev would play a game of all-out aggression given his 6ft 6in frame, but he’s more Djokovician in style, playing a game of defence and offence, based on his excellent movement. If he’s feeling well physically, he’ll try to grind Dimitrov down in lengthy rallies, so Dimitrov will need to be aggressive, come to the net, and mix it up by showing all the talent he possesses but has not always shown. However in the quarter-finals an injured Medvedev shortened the points, rushed the net and took the ball early, which upset Wawrinka – and a similar approach today could also be disorientating for Dimitrov.

Updated

Tik, tok, tikity, tok, they’re warming up. Despite it being only 4.14pm in New York, this feels as if it’s a night match given how dark it is. The atmosphere is also pretty rowdy under the roof.

Here they come. No prizes for guessing who receives the warmest welcome. Dimitrov steps on to court first to applause, before Medvedev gets a mix of cheers of boos. But the jeers won’s be ringing in the Russian’s ears. He seems to love being the villain.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Ho hum. No sign of the players yet. The crowd are instead being treated to blaring music and lots of flashing lights. Wimbledon this isn’t.

Stat attack.

Dimitrov is the lowest-ranked grand slam semi-finalist since Germany’s Rainer Schüttler, then 94th in the world, reached the last four at Wimbledon in 2008.

This is the first time at a slam that three of the semi-finalists were born in the 1990s.

If Medvedev or Dimitrov go on to win the title, it’ll be the first time someone outside of tennis’s great triumvirate has won a major since Stan Wawrinka at the US Open three years ago.

Dimitrov says:

Despite the fact I was losing very tough matches, close matches against players that I shouldn’t lose [to], yet I did, I kept on believing in the process, kept on working, kept on trying to improve whatever else I had to improve. I really controlled the things I could. Sometimes the most simple things are hardest. It was not a pretty time. I’m not going to lie.

It was that low that I don’t even want to go there any more. It was just obviously injury, losing points, ranking. That’s the lowest point of any player.

The past six, seven months have been pretty rough. But I had somebody to lean on, my friends, my family. I kept on believing in the work, the rehab I had to put behind my shoulder, the exercise, the practice. There were so many things I had to adjust.

Next thing you know, you’re almost end of the year, you have a result like that. It’s pretty special to me.

Medvedev says:

Usually I’m not like this, as I was in the third-round match. I’m not proud of it. I’m working to be better. Hopefully I can show the bright side of myself.

I am surprised. That’s what I’ve been working for all my life, especially the last two and a half years. That’s where I’ve been going step by step. I was improving my rankings. But I am still really surprised with the way this last four weeks have been going ... that’s what I’ve been working for. That’s what I’ve dreamed of.

The scene in New York: is very, very wet. But fear not. There’s the humongous roof. They’ll be under way on time.

Preamble

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first men’s semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer sorry Daniil Medvedev and Grigor Dimitrov.

The question at the start of the tournament was how to solve a problem like breaking the hegemony of the Big Three. Now we have two-thirds of the answer: wait for Djokovic to be cut down by a shoulder injury in the last 16 and then let the man formerly known as Baby Federer take out the actual and ailing Federer over five sets in the quarter-finals. Of course Rafael Nadal is still standing, and is looking in ominous form before his semi-final later against the brave or perhaps foolhardy Matteo Berrettini, but Medvedev or Dimitrov will have to leave that last part of the problem until another day. First they must face off for a place in their debut grand slam final.

For the 23-year-old Medvedev, this is his first major semi-final; for the 28-year-old Dimitrov, this is his third in a career that hasn’t lived up to its tremendous promise. While Medvedev arrived in New York as the man of the hardcourt summer, having defeated Djokovic en route to the Cincinnati title and reached the Washington and Montreal finals, Dimitrov was the forgotten man. The former world No 3 entered this tournament down at 78th after an awful, injury-affected season in which he had lost seven of his past eight matches, including to the world No 405 six weeks ago. But Dimitrov’s victory over Federer from two sets to one down was a comeback in more ways than one. Rarely have there been such remarkable turnarounds in form.

Despite taking out Federer, Dimitrov will have the crowd on his side against Medvedev, whose summer of success has not exactly turned into one of love. The quirky and controversial Russian, carrying an ever-increasing number of injuries after his exertions of late, has defiantly moved through the draw amid a chorus of boos, which started in the third round when he snatched a towel from a ballboy, gave spectators the middle finger and then trolled them in his on-court interview.

The jeers and sarcastic retorts have continued since. But after Medvedev’s superb six weeks, during which he has risen to fourth in the rankings behind Djokovic, Nadal and Federer – or “the No 1 among mere mortals” as my colleague Tumaini Carayol writes – it would be a shame if he didn’t let his tennis do the talking in the biggest match of his life.

The players will be on court at: 4pm New York time/9pm BST.

Updated

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