Daniil Medvedev has secured 20 ATP titles across 20 different cities, and this week, he aims to make it 21 by competing for his first ATP 500 Beijing championship. Daniil acknowledges the uniqueness of this accomplishment, noting that he could have achieved it during the US Open final.
The former champion in New York met Novak Djokovic in the title clash, seeking his second US Open trophy. Instead, Novak beat him 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in three hours and 16 minutes after a massive battle, especially in the second set.
Djokovic kept the physical issues aside, battling hard and defending a set point in the encounter’s second part, drawing a massive boost from that and sealing the deal in the third. Novak served at only 54%, struggling to find the first serve and hitting six double faults.
However, he faced only three break chances, losing serve once in the third set but recovering promptly to emerge at the top. Novak claimed 21 points more than Daniil, landing 38 winners and 35 unforced errors and controlling his strokes beautifully against the rival who covered every inch of the court.
Djokovic made a perfect start in his 36th Major final, breaking Medvedev at love in the second game and moving 3-0 in front. The Russian experienced two set points at 2-5, denying them and prolonging the action. Novak wrapped up the opener with a hold at 15 at 5-3 after the rival’s backhand mistake.
The second set lasted an hour and 45 minutes, going down to the wire. Medvedev pushed Djokovic to the limits, wasting his chance and falling two sets to love behind. World no. 2 missed a break chance at 3-3 and squandered game points in the next one, experiencing the first break chance of the match.
Djokovic denied it with a half-volley winner, bringing the game home after four deuces and locking the result at 4-4.
Daniil Medvedev is seeking his 21st different title in Beijing.
There were four deuces on Novak’s serve in the 12th game while serve served to stay in the set, offering Daniil a set point.
Djokovic denied it with a valiant net rushing and a volley winner, introducing a tie break and giving everything to prevail. Daniil led 3-1 before Novak climbed back, stealing the breaker 7-5 after the rival’s backhand error, gaining a massive confidence boost after two and a half hours.
Djokovic served well at the start of the third set, securing a break in game four and opening a 3-1 advantage after Medvedev’s wayward backhand. The Russian pulled it back in the next one, fighting like a lion and seeking a notable comeback.
Instead, Novak broke him for the second straight time in the sixth game, opening a 4-2 gap and looking good to seal the deal. Djokovic served for his 24th Major crown in game nine and held after Medvedev’s loose forehand, celebrating another magical moment of his glorious career.
“Honestly, it’s not an extra motivation. I want to win every time I step on the court. In a way, I’m disappointed that I never managed to defend one of my titles. Talking about the last one, the US Open was the first one where I could do it; I was in the final.
It’s a fun fact. I’m in Beijing this week and hope to make 21 titles in 21 cities. Yeah, it will be special because I’m not sure anyone has done something like this before. At the same time, I hope to break the pattern in Shanghai and win my second title there,” Daniil Medvedev said.
