Google News Daniil Medvedev: 'I'm a Major champion after losing two finals to Rafa and Novak'
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 3841
Daniil Medvedev will make the Laver Cup debut in Team Europe this weekend in Boston, hoping for a couple of fun days and more good matches after a great US Open run. The 25-year-old Russian claimed the first Major crown in New York, defeating Novak Djokovic in his third Major final to lift the desired trophy and join tennis immortals.
Speaking about his first Major success in Boston, Daniil said he had a proper celebration with his wife and the rest of the team, enjoying a vacation before getting back in action against Team World. After losing the opening two Major finals to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Medvedev used his third opportunity to embrace tennis glory and prevent Djokovic from achieving a calendar Grand Slam.
Medvedev beat Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 15 minutes in the title clash, playing on a high level in all seven encounters to wrap up two perfect weeks and become a deserved champion. Novak lost the opening set for the fifth straight match in New York this year, and this time there was no way back for him against such a strong rival.
The Serb wasted his opportunities at the beginning of the second set and scored his only break when Daniil was already miles in front. Medvedev hit 38 winners and 31 unforced errors to control the pace and leave Djokovic behind, producing bold and aggressive tennis and outplaying Novak on both serve and return for a career-best win and the first Major crown on his tally.
Medvedev claimed the opening two sets with a single break and earned two in the third to cross the finish line in style. Daniil barely lost a point on serve in the opener, which was very important for him, and grabbed a break in the first game for an instant lead.
Controlling his games superbly, Medvedev held in game ten for 6-4 and a boost ahead of set number two.
Daniil Medvedev became a Major champion at the US Open.
Djokovic wasted five break chances at the beginning of the second set, and he needed one of those badly if he wanted to get back on track.
Instead, Daniil broke him at 2-2 and produced three fine holds to move 6-4, 6-4 ahead and closer to the finish line. With nothing working his way, Djokovic experienced breaks in games one and three in the third set to find himself 4-0 down and miles away from the finish line.
Making one last push, Novak saved a match point in the eighth game and scored his first break to reduce the deficit and extend his chances. Novak held in game nine to move 4-5 behind before Daniil sealed the deal with a hold at 30, seizing the third match points and becoming a Major champion.
"I had a week off, and we had a great time celebrating the victory. I've been soaking it all in. Now the next tournament is coming, and I'm just looking forward to playing some great tennis. Laver Cup is a bit different from playing for your country.
Here, we don't play for the country; we play for the entire continent. I'm excited because it's my first time; I wanted this week to come. Winning a Major title is a goal that I accomplished, with only a couple of players who can say the same.
I have dreamed about it since I was young, and even more after my first two finals. I know that nobody can take it away from me now; that's the best feeling," Daniil Medvedev said.