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NOVAK DJOKOVIC could claim a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at today’s US Open final but put that landmark out of his mind as he prepared to face old foe Daniil Medvedev.
The Serb battled past American Ben Shelton in straight sets on Friday to set up a rematch with Russia’s Medvedev, who denied him a rare calendar Grand Slam two years ago.
The memory of that bitter defeat was still fresh in his mind, as Djokovic told reporters he was trying not to focus on the significance of a 24th major title that would match Margaret Court’s all-time singles record.
Djokovic won the Australian Open and has already hoisted the trophy at Roland Garros this year.
He had a chance to collect his 24th major title in Wimbledon, but was denied in the finale by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Fans had hoped Djokovic would meet the young Spaniard again in New York.
However, the defending champion came up short against Medvedev in their respective semi-final.
Daniil Medvedev, on the other hand, expects Novak Djokovic to be in top form in today’s final, but the third-seeded Russian adds that he will try to produce his “best-ever version” to beat the record-23-time Grand Slam champion.
Medvedev prevailed 7-6(3) 6-1 3-6 6-3 in a fascinating encounter that ended top-seed Carlos Alcaraz’s reign as Flushing Meadows champion. The 27-year-old set up a rematch of his triumphant 2021 finale against Djokovic.
“He (Djokovic) is always better than the previous time he plays.
“For example, I beat him in the US Open final, he beat me in Bercy (Paris Masters) in a great match.
“Carlos beat him in Wimbledon, and he beat him in Cincinnati,” Medvedev told reporters. Novak is going to be at his best, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.
“Novak, when he loses, he’s never the same after. . . It’s just a different mentality,” he said. — Reuters
Online Reporter