The Canadian lost in three sets of 4-6, 5-7 and 2-6 against the second player in the world rankings. The Russian was flawless from the start of the second heat to race for victory.
I could have served better, but it wasn’t bad. Until the end of the second round, I played well
, said Félix Auger-Aliassime after the duel.
I had to play my best tennis, and even better if I wanted to have a chance to win this match. I did, but not long enough.
After losing the first set 4-6 in 38 minutes, Auger-Aliassime recovered well by managing to break his opponent’s service in the sixth game (4-2) and by obtaining two set points at 5-3, but he failed to win the round.
Medvedev didn’t give in and ultimately won the ninth game by breaking Auger-Aliassime’s serve to come back to 5-4 and tie the score 5-5 on his serve.
He then broke the kidneys and the service of the Quebecer by shutout to lead 6-5. He won the second set 7-5 by removing 10 of the last 11 rallies.
The third set showed all the know-how of the Russian, who twice broke Auger-Aliassime to bring the score to 4-1. The Quebecer heated his opponent in the sixth game, but could not break in his turn.
Back on duty, Auger-Aliassime was able to avoid a third breakage despite a 10th double fault at the start of the seventh set, but it was too little too late for the Quebecer who lost in the third set 6-2.
Overall Daniil has been a better player.
The Quebecer nevertheless draws a positive assessment of his tournament. It’s good to go a little further each time. In the last grand slam, I lost in the quarterfinals. There, I returned to unknown territory, in the semi-final. Next time I go there, I’ll get used to it, I’ll have the experience.
Medvedev was in a semi-final for the third straight year in New York, with a final lost to Rafael Nadal in 2019.
The Canadian had the advantage of being physically spared in the last round, with a forfeit victory over Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard retired with thigh pain when his rival led 6-3, 3-1. Medvedev, however, had also concluded all his matches except the last in three sets.
Medvedev had won the only duel between the two men. He won 3-6, 6-4 and 7-6 (9/7) against Auger-Aliassime in Toronto. It was in the Queen City that he won his most recent title last month.
