Djokovic beats Medvedev at US Open final to lift 24th Grand Slam title

There’s just no stopping Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian created history once again,
beating Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open Final to win a record-equalling
24th Grand Slam title, tying Margaret Court for the most major singles’
trophies in tennis history. The number two seed ousted his Russian counterpart
6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a slugfest at Flushing Meadows on Sunday to win his fourth
US Open crown and go two clear of Rafael Nadal on the men’s all-time list.

New York hasn’t been a happy hunting ground
for Djokovic in recent times. The 36-year-old last won the US Open in 2018 and
suffered a chastening straight-sets defeat against Medvedev in the final two
years ago. However, the Serbian was determined to prevent a repeat of the 2021
final as he came out firing on all cylinders at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic broke Medvedev’s serve to love in
just the second game of the final, instantly grabbing the early initiative. The
number three seed saved two set points on his serve, but Djokovic converted his
first opportunity on his own serve to close out the set in 48 minutes, taking a
1-0 lead.

After an error-strewn opener, Medvedev
returned to his best in a gruelling second set that lasted 1 hour and 44
minutes. The length of the rallies extended as the 27-year-old preyed on the
older legs of Djokovic, forcing him to cover every inch of the court. However,
just as he has done throughout his career, Djokovic found a way to win. He saved
a set point at 6-5 on his serve before winning three points in a row in the
tiebreak to clinch the marathon set and take a 2-0 lead.

It was one-way traffic in the third.
Although Djokovic dropped his first service game of the final, the Russian
failed to capitalize as the number two seed dominated at the net with his serve
and volley tactics to clinch the historic win.

Djokovic’s victory in New York closes out a
stunning year for the Serbian, where he continues to redefine the pinnacle of
the sport. He won his tenth Australian Open title in January, moved past Rafael
Nadal with a record-breaking 23^rd Grand Slam crown at the French
Open before finishing with an emphatic win at the US Open that takes him back atop
of the ATP rankings.

“Knowing that I play at such a high level
still, and I win the biggest tournaments, I don’t want to leave this sport if
I’m still at the top,” said Djokovic post-match. Given the current trajectory,
those days seem a fair while away.