NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic's bid for a record 21st major title that would have completed the calendar-year Grand Slam collapsed at the final hurdle in a stunning 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat by Russian Daniil Medvedev in the U.S. Open final on Sunday.
Medvedev, playing in his third major final, at last hoisted a Grand Slam trophy while avenging a straight sets defeat by Djokovic earlier this year in the Australian Open final.
The Serb was trying to become the first man in over a half-century to win all four majors (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open) in the same year.
For the fifth consecutive match, Djokovic found himself in an early hole after dropping the first set.
But this time there would be no way out as the rampaging Russian kept up the pressure with a barrage of aces while allowing Djokovic a single break.
Such was Medvedev's domination that the only tiny bit of drama came late in the third set when the Russian was suddenly hit by a bout of nerves trying to close out the match.
Serving at 5-2 Medvedev double faulted on match point, allowing Djokovic to secure his one and only break.
After Djokovic held serve to trim the deficit to 5-4 Medvedev again had match point and again double faulted.
But the 25-year-old did not squander a third chance, gathering himself to clinch the title on his third attempt.
Djokovic arrived on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with the weight of history on his shoulders.
An extraordinary women's final on Saturday between teenagers Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez had softened the spotlight's glare but there was no shirking from it on Sunday with tennis fans around the world tuned in to witness history.
The women's final was the first Grand Slam to feature two unseeded players but the men's followed the form book to the letter with number one Djokovic meeting number two Medvedev.
The New York crowd had never really embraced Djokovic the way it wrapped its arms around Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafa Nadal, who have also won 20 Grand Slam titles.
It had also shown no real love for Medvedev, the lanky Russian who relished the role of U.S. Open villain on his way to the 2019 final.
Perhaps sensing they were about to witness something special, the crowd rallied behind Djokovic from the moment he stepped on court showering him with cheers and chants of his nickname: "Nole, Nole, Nole".
But no amount of urging could lift Djokovic's game.
The Serb had said he would treat the final as if it were the last match of his career but never came close to his best.
Medvedev was also keenly aware there was a line in the history books for him as well if he were the player to deny Djokovic the coveted calendar year Grand Slam.
Reuters
Sun Sep 12 2021
Medvedev holds up the championship trophy after defeating Djokovic in the men's singles final of the US Open tennis championships. - AP Photo/Elise Amendola
Penerbangan ke Tehran, Isfahan dan Shiraz digantung
Semua penerbangan menuju ke bandar "Tehran, Isfahan dan Shiraz, lapangan terbang Barat, Barat Laut dan Barat Daya di Iran telah digantung.
Perkembangan konflik Iran-Israel
Bagi perinciannya kita bersama Prof Dr Salawati Mat Basir, Pakar undang-undang antarabangsa Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Menteri luar ASEAN gesa henti segera keganasan di sempadan Myanmar
Menteri luar ASEAN menggesa semua pihak menghentikan segera keganasan dan melaksanakan sekatan sepenuhnya di kawasan sempadan Myanmar.
Kes demam denggi turun, satu lagi kematian dilaporkan
Jumlah kes demam denggi menurun kepada 1,698 kes pada Minggu Epidemiologi ke-15 (ME15) iaitu dari 7 April hingga 13 April lepas berbanding 2,487 kes pada minggu sebelumnya.
Perkembangan konflik Iran-Israel
Bagi perinciannya kita bersama Dr. Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, Felo Operasi Psikologi Pusat Pengajian Perang Saraf Media & Informasi Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
Letusan Gunung Semeru: Penduduk dipindahkan akibat banjir lahar sejuk
Sekurang-kurangnya 32 keluarga di Lumajang, Jawa Timur dipindahkan secara sukarela ke kawasan lebih selamat susulan limpahan banjir lahar sejuk yang dicetuskan Gunung Semeru pada Khamis.
Bapa didakwa bunuh bayi enam bulan
Isteri tertuduh yang berada di galeri awam menangis sebaik pertuduhan terhadap suaminya, dibacakan.
Pelancong dari China, India meningkat 78.2 peratus berikutan pelan liberalisasi visa
Pelan liberalisasi visa telah merancakkan kemasukan pelancong ke dalam negara khususnya dari China dan India dengan peningkatan sebanyak 78.2 peratus dalam tempoh tiga bulan pertama tahun ini.
AWANI Ringkas: Delegasi ke Gaza jalani latihan antikeganasan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Bursa Malaysia dibuka meningkat, pelabur tumpu saham dengan rizab tunai tinggi
Pada 9.22 pagi, indeks petunjuk utama FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) menokok 4.86 mata kepada 1,549.62 daripada penutupan Khamis iaitu 1,544.76.
Tenis Terbuka Perancis: Nadal mudah lepasi pusingan pertama
Nadal yang mempamerkan aksi dominan, menang 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 untuk mara ke pusingan kedua dengan mudah.
Terbuka Vienna: Atasi Hurkacz, Murray mara ke pusingan kedua
Murray meraih kemenangan yang mengambil masa dua jam dan 40 minit dalam pertembungan tiga set.
Thiem umum tarik diri dari Terbuka Wimbledon
Pemeriksaan lanjut oleh pakar di Barcelona menunjukkan bahawa Thiem memerlukan masa untuk pulih.
COVID-19: Dua peserta Terbuka Australia diasingkan
Kira-kira 1,200 pemain dan kakitangan tiba di Melbourne menjelang Grand Slam Terbuka Australia, bermula 8 Februari depan.
Terbuka AS: Williams atasi Ahn dalam pusingan pertama
Bekas pemain nombor satu dunia, Williams, merangkul gelaran Grand Slam terakhirnya dan yang ke-23 pada Terbuka Australia 2017, tewas dalam empat final sejak kejayaannya terakhir di Melbourne Park.
Federer, Nadal cadang penggabungan ATP, WTA
Kedua-dua kejohanan lelaki (ATP) dan wanita (WTA) terpaksa ditangguhkan, sekurang-kurangnya sehingga pertengahan Julai susulan wabak coronavirus.
COVID-19: Murray jangka tenis antara sukan terakhir kembali
Acara sukan di seluruh dunia ditangguhkan susulan Covid-19 yang telah meragut lebih 183,700 nyawa.
Bintang tenis Australia berdarah kacukan Melayu-Greek tawar bantuan berikutan COVID-19
Kyrgios tampil menyampaikan mesej menyentuh hati dengan menyatakan keinginannya membantu sesiapa yang tidak bekerja atau menerima sebarang pendapatan.
'Tenis, saya ucapkan selamat tinggal' - Maria Sharapova umum bersara
Sharapova yang pernah merangkul gelaran Grand Slam sebanyak lima kali sepanjang kerjayanya, mengumumkan persaraannya itu pada usia 32 tahun.
Selesai jalani pembedahan, Federer terlepas Terbuka Perancis
Pemain berusia 38 tahun itu mendedahkan bahawa dia mengalami masalah pada lutut kanannya dan menjadi pembedahan di Switzerland.