World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be hoping to set a new record for a calendar grand slam as he faces World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open Men’s Singles today (Sunday).
The Serb is just one step away from becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the Calendar Grand Slam.
Djokovic has been in the form of his life this year. The Serb won the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, and his six victories in New York this past fortnight have extended his unbeaten run at Majors to 27 matches.
The 34-year-old has navigated a tricky draw at Flushing Meadows. He needed four sets to overcome each of Kei Nishikori, Jenson Brooksby, and Matteo Berrettini, and was then taken the distance by the in-form Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.
Djokovic’s Road To Final
Round 1 – Rune 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
Round 2 -Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
Round 3- Nishikori 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
Round 4 – Brooksby 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Quarterfinal – Berrettini 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
Semi Final- Zverev 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
On the other hand, the World No. 2 reached the final at the Australian Open and won titles at the Canada Masters, Marseille and Mallorca.
Medvedev has certainly lived up to the billing, cruising through the first four rounds without dropping a set. He defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. to advance to the final.
Medvedev’s Road To Final
Round 1 – Gasquet 6-4, 6-3, 6-1
Round 2 – Koepfer 6-4, 6-1, 6-2
Round 3- Andujar 6-0, 6-4, 6-3
Round 4 – Evans 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
Quarterfinal – Zandschlup 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5
Semi Final- Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-5, 6-2
Djokovic vs Medvedev head-to-head
The final in New York will be the ninth match between the two players, with Novak Djokovic leading the head-to-head 5-3. Medvedev has won three of their last five meetings, but he has never beaten the Serb at a Grand Slam. Djokovic defeated the Russian in straight sets at the 2021 Australian Open final in their most recent clash.
Match details
Fixture: (1) Novak Djokovic vs (2) Daniil Medvedev
Date: 12 September 2021
Tournament: 2021 US Open
Round: Final
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $40,560,000
