• Russian wins at Flushing Meadows to claim his first ATP title • Stefanos Tsitsipas also went on to win in straight sets to claim first title
The Russian Daniil Medvedev completed a sensational back-to-back victories when he beat Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2 to win the US Open on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old third seed dominated the contest after taking the second set in a tie-break – before the three-time champion fought back to force a decider.
And although Medvedev served for the match at 5-4, the Serbian fought back to force another tie-break and force the young Russian to serve out the match.
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Russia’s world No37, ranked 60 places higher than Djokovic, converted on his first match point when the Serbian sent a backhand wide.
Medvedev, who won his first career ATP title in Montreal two weeks ago, praised his rivals. “Novak and I have two very different styles. When he is serving well, like against the top players, he is very difficult to beat,” he said.
“I was in his position before. I only managed to defeat him once this year so I am happy to have won in two tries.
“Both of our seasons have been different. I came here on a really good streak with great results and he came off some physical problems and some injury. He deserves a lot of credit.”
Djokovic was gracious in defeat, saying he had given his all. “He played great tennis. I tried and played some great tennis in the last three sets, but it was not enough,” he said.
“I felt pain in my side from the very beginning in the first set, which was not as severe as I expected. That did not allow me to play my best tennis.”
The world No30, who was leading by a set and a break, made three double faults in the deciding set. Medvedev said he was still pinching himself about his win. “At 5-4, I needed a big serve, but I hit it a bit wide and he won the game,” he said.
“I really needed to keep focused on myself, play my game, keep focused on the opponent and fight. He was struggling a bit after I broke him in the first game of the third set.”