In a physically grueling quarterfinals showdown at the 2023 US Open, Daniil Medvedev emerged victorious against his compatriot Andrey Rublev amid the sweltering New York heat. Lasting a strenuous 2 hours and 47 minutes at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium, both players were visibly spent as they battled extreme weather conditions described by Medvedev as the "most difficult" he's encountered since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Speaking after the match, Medvedev shared his experience, stating, "It was brutal. The only good thing I see in these conditions is that both suffer, usually, it's not one who suffers, so it was tough for both of us." He further elaborated, "At the end of the first set I kind of couldn't see the ball anymore, I tried to play with sensations — we were tired all the time, brutal conditions and super tough to win."
The 2021 US Open champion, Medvedev, managed to push through the draining afternoon, defeating Rublev 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. This win catapulted him to his fourth US Open semi-final appearance. To recuperate post-match, the Russian needed an ice pack and several cold water bottles, a testament to the taxing battle both players endured.
The oppressive heat was not just a challenge for the men; earlier in the day, the women's singles quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen Zheng also faced similar conditions. The scorching 95-degree Fahrenheit temperatures led officials to partially close the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof to provide some respite for the players and spectators alike.
Rublev, who started strongly, leading 3-0 in the first set and 3-1 in the second, seemed to deflate as the match wore on. Despite breaking Medvedev early in the third set, the 8th seed faltered, giving away his advantage due to numerous errors. Medvedev, sensing his opponent's flagging energy, maintained his composure to seal the match in straight sets.
The match reached a dramatic high when Rublev displayed an all-out effort to remain in the third set, turning it into a 15-minute nail-biting game. However, despite the valiant effort, Medvedev was the one to punch his ticket to the semi-finals.
Next, Medvedev is set to face the winner of the upcoming quarterfinal between the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Germany's Alexander Zverev. As the tennis world eagerly awaits this intriguing match-up, Medvedev’s recent win under strenuous conditions has undoubtedly set high expectations for the semi-finals at the US Open 2023.
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