Daniil Medvedev led from the get-go and downed defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final of the US Open 2023 and set up a rematch of the 2021 US Open with Novak Djokovic in New York on Saturday, September 9.
Medvedev defeated Alcaraz 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in what started as a closely contested affair. The initial set was a testament to Alcaraz's serving prowess. Boasting an incredible 83% first serve percentage, he was in stark contrast to Medvedev's 57%. Yet, the Russian's tactical play shone through, leading the set to a nerve-wracking tie-break as Medvedev triumphed with a 7-3 score, proving that raw percentages aren't the sole determiners of a game's outcome.
Medvedev's victory in the tie-break in the first set continued in the second set, quickly taking a 3-0 lead. Despite Alcaraz's valiant efforts to regain ground, the Russian's relentless attack resulted in a dominant 6-1 finish.
But then, Alcaraz staged a stunning comeback. Demonstrating his mettle, the Spaniard capitalised on Medvedev's missteps, securing the set at 6-3. This unexpected turnaround not only invigorated Alcaraz's camp but also set the stage for an electrifying fourth set.
The concluding set was nothing short of a cinematic spectacle. Each player, desperate to etch their name into the US Open 2023 annals, fought for every point as if it were their last. An early break of serve by Medvedev placed him in the driving seat. Yet, despite facing break points, he clung on, eventually securing the set and the match at 6-3.
For Medvedev, this victory wasn't just a ticket to the final. It bore the sweet taste of revenge, recalling his defeat by Alcaraz at the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier in the year. With this win, the head-to-head tally between these two Tennis giants is now level.
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