Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic will re-run the 2021 US Open final after both motored through semi-final tests in straight sets on Friday.
Medvedev, the holder from three years ago who thrashed Djokovic in that final, booked his return as he stunned holder Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three and a quarter-hours on a fourth match point.
Djokovic took American newcomer Ben Shelton to the woodshed on Arthur Ashe with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) scoreline.
The match featured some sledging, with Djokovic giving a drive-by post-match handshake and mimicking the youngster’s “telephone hang up” victory pantomime.
Alcaraz was caught off guard by world No. 3 Medvedev, who had come through the draw without too much notice and now faces his third final at Flushing Meadows in five years.
Trailing two sets to love, the Spaniard managed to win the third, but was blown away in the end as Medvedev came through on his fourth chance point to end a tension-packed fourth set.
“It’s amazing, especially beating Carlos,” the winner said. “I lost easy to him twice this year.
“I had a lot of doubts before the match, wondering if I could impose my game.
“I’m really happy to be here on Sunday (for the final). I needed to play level 12 out of 10. To beat him, you have to play better than yourself.”
Medvedev voiced a mild complaint about what he said were Spanish fans yelling out between first and second serve.
“There were some crazy points. But those guys must have been desperate… now they can go to sleep knowing it didn’t help at all.”
Alcaraz had been hoping to become the first to defend a title here since Roger Federer in 2008.The 20-year-old Spaniard stood 24-1 over his last four majors but suffered his second loss in that series at the hand of an inspired Medvedev.
Medvedev won his fifth Grand Slam semi in seven played as he denied Alcaraz a second major title this season after the youngster won Wimbledon over Djokovic.
Medvedev won the 2021 title and played the final two years earlier here.
In the first semi, Djokovic had to fight his way to the finish against Shelton after cruising through the first two sets and going up a break in the third.
The American fought back briefly as he trailed, with Djokovic finally squeezing through a tiebreaker to advance.
“It was great to be able to win in straight sets,” the 23-time Grand Slam winner said. “Everything was working really well and in my favor, two sets to love up and 4-2.
“Then things started to change. He had set point. I was serving for the match, lost a break. Maybe I lost a little bit of a rhythm. there.”
He added: “The match was quite close, the crowd was gettinginvolved.
“It wasn’t easy to close it out. I didn;t want to go to a fourth set that’s for sure.
“He’s got a lot of firepower, with an amazing pop on the serve. He’s so dynamic and very unpredictable what comes next.
“I just had to stay there mentally, present, calm, and focus on the game plan and what I need to do and try to be solid from baseline.
Djokovic at 36 is the oldest to play an Open semi since Jimmy Connors – aged 39 – in 1991.
The winner is into a 10th final here and has figured in all four finals at the majors this season, with titles in Melbourne and Paris and a Wimbledon final against Alcaraz.
Shelton was the first unseeded semi-finalist here since Grigor Dimitrov four years ago.
