‘Treating it like last match of my career’: Medvedev stands in way of Djokovic and Grand Slam history as pair book US Open final

Daniil Medvedev will aim to deprive Novak Djokovic of a record 21st Grand Slam title after the world’s top two set up a mouthwatering showdown in Sunday’s US Open final.

Top seed Djokovic came through a five-set epic against in-form German Alexander Zverev in their semi-final in New York on Friday (4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2), and is now just one victory from putting himself out on his own at the top of the Grand Slam standings ahead of generational rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“All in, let’s do it. I’m going to put my heart, my soul, my body, and my head into that one. I’m going to treat the next match like it’s the last match of my career," Djokovic told the Arthur Ashe stadium crowd as he looked ahead to Sunday's blockbuster with Medvedev. 

Djokovic gained revenge against Zverev after the 24-year-old had derailed his hopes of Olympic glory – and the chance of a historic ‘Golden Slam’ – by beating him in the semi-finals in Tokyo back in July. 

That win for the German had been part of a remarkable 16-match winning run which crashed to a to a halt on Friday, in a contest which contained some titanic tussles including a 53-shot rally in the third set which went Zverev's way but still didn't prevent Djokovic from winning the game and the set. 

Alongside his chance to clinch a record Grand Slam haul, Djokovic can also become the first man to seal a calendar Grand Slam of all four Majors in the same year since Australian icon Rod Laver back in 1969.

Sunday’s Flushing Meadows final will be Djokovic’s 31st at a Slam, tying Roger Federer’s record, and will be a chance for the indomitable Serb to win a fourth US Open title.

Standing in his way will be world number two Medvedev, who brushed past Canadian 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in their semi-final earlier on Friday.

Medvedev, 25, has dropped just one set on his way to what will be a third Grand Slam final appearance for the big Russian.

Medvedev becomes the first man ever from his nation to be a multiple finalist in New York, having contested a five-set thriller with Rafael Nadal in 2019, which he ended up on the wrong side of.

“I don’t think I played my best today, but I am really happy to be in the final on Sunday,” Medvedev said after overcoming Auger-Aliassime.

Medvedev had looked dominant for most of the match, although he did save set points in the second set, rallying from 2-5 to battle back.

Having missed out in his two previous appearances in major finals – including being routed by Djokovic in straight sets in Melbourne earlier this year – Medvedev will finally hope to pop his Grand Slam cherry at the third attempt. 

While Djokovic holds a 5-3 advantage in his head-to-head rivalry with Medvedev, the Russian has won three of their last five meetings.

Medvedev is aiming to become the first Russian male to win a Grand Slam singles title since Marat Safin won the Australian Open in 2005. He would also be the first Russian men’s champion in New York since Safin achieved the feat in 2000.

On Sunday, history beckons for both Djokovic and Medvedev.