ovak Djokovic equalled Margaret Court’s report of 24 grand slam singles titles with a masterclass towards Daniil Medvedev within the US Open last in New York.

In what was a tenth US Open last for the Serbian, who returns as world No1 on Monday, he pulled off a fourth title in New York and a primary since 2018 to develop into the oldest event winner within the Open period.

Since then, he had been defaulted within the event and latterly denied entry final yr due to his refusal to get a Covid vaccination.

This was a repeat of the 2021 last, which Medvedev had dominated on his marriage ceremony anniversary and which ended with Djokovic in tears after receiving the gang adulation he has so lengthy craved albeit in defeat.

For this last - once more on Medvedev’s anniversary, Djokovic had nearly all of the assist, amongst them the American actor Matthew McConaughey in his field.

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And on court docket he produced a strategic masterclass, discovering a weak spot in Medvedev’s resolution to obtain so deep behind the baseline by serving and volleying greater than he had carried out in any match in New York.

In reality, it was a far nearer last than the 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 scoreline steered however, on the similar time, it all the time felt just like the older man had the bettering of his opponent. It additionally resulted in Djokovic leaving the Big Apple having dropped units in only one match, the anomaly being his five-setter towards countryman Laslo Djere earlier within the week.

Afterwards, Djokovic stated: “It means the world to me. I’m really living my childhood dream. To make the history of this sport is something truly special and remarkable. I never imageind I would be here talking about 24 slams.”

Medvedev had proved the disruptor within the earlier spherical, denying the anticipated Djokovic last towards Carlos Alcaraz with such an excellent semi-final show. Come the ultimate, he couldn’t fairly pull off a repeat as his opponent received three of the 4 grand slams in a calendar yr for the fourth time in an illustrious profession.

The opening rally of the match lasted 19 photographs, indicating the potential slugfest that lay forward.

Djokovic did effectively to carry his opening service recreation however then broke Medvedev to like. Both had stellar information when successful the primary set – within the case of Djokovic, he had received 72 of 73 earlier US Open matches when taking the opener.

He couldn’t take the primary two set factors that finally got here his means on the Medvedev serve however duly took the set on his personal subsequent service recreation.

Any sense that Djokovic may run away with it proved unfounded with the gamers barely capable of be separated within the second set.

Medvedev knew, in all actuality, he wanted to win the second set to have any hope of staying within the match and did effectively to fend off fixed stress on his personal serve.

But the primary break alternative of that set didn’t come till recreation seven, which proved an odd recreation. Djokovic stumbled at one level and ended up breathless and prostate on the blue floor, an odd response with the roof closed and the Arthur Ashe Stadium air-con on.

Djokovic was clearly tiring and Medvedev did effectively to elongate the factors as a lot as potential. Medvedev bought his first break level of the night time with an overhead smash within the subsequent recreation earlier than a shocking restoration from Djokovic.

Medvedev once more had a break level at 5-6 on his rival’s serve however as soon as extra he saved himself with the serve-volley tactic.

In the tiebreak, Medvedev bought the mini break just for Djokovic to power his means again in. The set nearly appeared to relaxation on level 9 as every participant threw every thing at one another, going from both finish of the court docket. It resulted in Djokovic’s benefit.

Moments later, Djokovic had received the set because of a limp Medvedev backhand into the online with the match clock already at two-and-a-half hours.

Immediately, Medvedev known as for the coach for therapy on his shoulder and painkillers, a problem which clearly bothered him to the tip.

His frustration spilled over with a tetchy alternate along with his coach, the Frenchman Gilles Cervara, who pleaded with is participant to stay to the sport plan.

But the Russian was damaged in recreation 4 just for Djokovic, with victory in his sights, to permit his rival to interrupt again with arguably his worst service recreation of the night time.

Any sense {that a} comeback is perhaps looming have been nullified with a 3rd straight service recreation break, which allowed the Djokovic camp to mud off their 24 jackets, which have been wheeled out moments after the win.