Second in the standings Daniil Medvedev advanced to the US Open final by beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday, putting the Russian on track for Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam, continuing the story. 2019 US Open finalist Medvedev reached his third Grand Slam final by knocking out 12th seed Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. “I don’t think I played my best today, but I’m really happy to be in the final,” said Medvedev.
Medvedev will play Sunday’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium against the winner of a subsequent semi-final between top Djokovic and Tokyo Olympic champion Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic is trying to finish the first men’s singles Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.
The 34-year-old Serb is aiming for his fourth career US Open title and 21st overall Slam crown, which would put him above the record of 20 he shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent due to injuries.
“We all know what Novak is chasing,” Medvedev said. “The only thing I can do is try to do my best. “
Medvedev, who lost to Djokovic in this year’s Australian Open final, trails Zverev 5-4 in his all-time rivalry and trails Djokovic 5-3.
“If it’s (Djokovic), after the Australian Open I’m going to try and leave my balls on the pitch to beat him,” Medvedev said.
Djokovic is said to be the oldest US Open finalist since Andre Agassi at 35 in 2005 and may be the oldest US Open champion since Ken Rosewall at 35 in 1970.
By beating Zverev to reach the edge of the slam, Djokovic would equal Federer’s all-time record of 31 appearances in the men’s slam final. Djokovic is 20-10 in the major final.
Zverev defeated Djokovic in the Tokyo Olympic semi-final, rallying from a set and collapsing to deprive the world number one of a chance to win a “Golden Slam” of major titles and a gold medal .
Djokovic is only looking for the fourth Slam in men’s singles in history after Don Budge in 1938 and Laver in 1962 and 1969.
Australian legend Laver, 83, watched the Open semifinals from the stands.
With a loss, Djokovic would be the first man with a Slam offer to enter the semifinals to fail to reach the US Open final.
Djokovic won 26 consecutive Slams, four short of his all-time record streak of 2015 and 2016, when he won all four major titles in a row.
Fourth-seeded 24-year-old German Zverev, last year’s US Open finalist, is on a 16-game winning streak since losing to Auger-Aliassime in the round of 16 at Wimbledon.
MEDVEDEV RESCUE SET TWO
Medvedev fell in love in Game 7 and won the first set after 38 minutes on his sixth of 12 aces.
Auger-Aliassime broke to lead 4-2 in the second set on Medvedev’s first double fault, but lost set points in game nine on a Medvedev backhand winner and his own forehand volley.
Medvedev then gave in at his first opportunity when the Canadian sent a long backhand.
“I knew I had to do everything to my best because at this point in the game I knew I could break him mentally and that’s what happened,” Medvedev said.
The Russian broke in love again in Game 11 when Auger-Aliassime scored a forehand and Medvedev again held on to grab the second set.
In the third, Medvedev snapped for a 2-1 advantage on a stray forehand from Auger-Aliassime, saved a break point in Game 4 on a service winner and took a 4-1 lead when the Canadian scored a forehand on a breaking point.
Medvedev finished things off with an airstrike after two hours and four minutes.
Auger-Aliassime, 21, is said to have been the youngest men’s slam finalist since Juan Martin del Potro won the 2009 US Open at age 20 and the youngest to defeat one of the two best enemies at the Open since Del Potro ended Federer’s five-title run in the 2009 final.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and coronavirus news here
–
![Euromillions and My Million FDJ draw results September 10, 2021 and winnings [En Ligne]](https://i0.wp.com/www.servicevie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/resultat-euromillions-10-septembre-2021.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 "Euromillions and My Million FDJ draw results September 10, 2021 and winnings [En Ligne]")