US Open 2023: Daniil Medvedev stuns Carlos Alcaraz to set up final rematch against Novak Djokovic

Daniil Medvedev dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a US Open thriller on Friday to set up a repeat of the final from two years ago against 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Medvedev defeated Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to reach his fifth major final and stop Alcaraz in his quest to become the first back-to-back men’s winner in New York since Roger Federer in 2008.

“I said I needed to play 11 out of 10, I played 12 out of 10, except from the third set,” said Medvedev.

“He (Alcaraz) is honestly just really unbelievable. To beat him you need to be better than yourself and I managed to do it.”

Medvedev now meets Djokovic on Sunday as the 36-year-old Serbian star once more goes in search of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title to crown his return to world No 1 next week.

The third-seeded Medvedev won his lone major at the 2021 US Open when he foiled Djokovic in his bid for a calendar Grand Slam.

He produced a scintillating performance against Alcaraz, avenging a lopsided loss to the Spaniard in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

Medvedev held his nerve under constant pressure from Alcaraz in the opening set, elevating his level in tie-break to claim the...

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