Daniil Medvedev savours 'sweet' US Open final win to deny Djokovic calendar Grand Slam bid

Djokovic never came close to his best as Russian wins Grand Slam trophy in straight sets

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to win the Men's 2021 US Open final. AFP

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  Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, in the men's singles final. AP Photo

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates with the championship trophy. AFP

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia is awarded the championship trophy by former tenner player Stan Smith after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbi. AFP

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrate. AFP

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  Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the runner-up trophy alongside Daniil Medvedev of Russia who celebrates with the championship trophy at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2021. AFP

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  Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AFP

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  Novak Djokovic of Serbia smashes his racket in frustration. AFP

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  Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP

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  Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, left, congratulates Daniil Medvedev, of Russia. AP Photo

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  Serbia's Novak Djokovic applauds the crowd after losing to Russia's Daniil Medvedev. AFP

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  US actors Brad Pitt, left, and Bradley Cooper watch Daniil Medvedev of Russia play Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's US Open final at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. EPA

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates with the championship trophy alongside Stacey Allaster, USTA Executive Chie. AFP

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  US actors Brad Pitt, top left, Bradley Cooper, Rami Malek, Christine Taylor, front left, and Ben Stiller watch Daniil Medvedev of Russia play Novak Djokovic of Serbia. EPA

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  Runner up Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks during the trophy ceremony. AFP

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  A general view is seen is as fans cheer for Daniil Medvedev of Russia as he celebrates defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia. AFP

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia. AFP

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  Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates. AFP

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  Russia's Daniil Medvedev drops to the ground in celebration. AFP

Novak Djokovic's quest to become the first man to complete a calendar Grand Slam in more than 50 years fell at the final hurdle as the world No 1 lost the US Open final 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to Russian Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.

The 34-year-old Serb was trying to become the first man in over a half-century to win all four majors in the same year.

It would have made him only the third man to achieve the feat after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969), who was watching from a courtside seat.

Third time proved a charm for world No 2 Medvedev, who at last hoisted a Grand Slam trophy while avenging a straight sets defeat by Djokovic earlier this year in the Australian Open final.

"It's a tough one to swallow, this loss, considering everything that was on the line," said Djokovic.

"I was glad it was over because the build up for this tournament and everything that mentally, emotionally I had to deal with throughout the tournament in the last couple of weeks was just a lot.

"It was a lot to handle."

For the fifth consecutive match, Djokovic found himself playing catch-up after dropping the first set.

But this time there would be no way out as the rampaging Russian kept up the pressure with a barrage of aces while allowing Djokovic a single break.

In the second set Medvedev stepped up the pressure further and Djokovic showed the first signs of cracking, the Serb destroying his racquet in a fit of frustration after missing two break chances.

With Djokovic on the ropes Medvedev moved in with the knockout punch, breaking to clinch the second then racing to a double break 4-0 lead in the third.

Such was Medvedev's domination that the only tiny bit of suspense came late in the third when the Russian was suddenly hit by a bout of nerves trying to close out the match.

Serving at 5-2 Medvedev double faulted on match point, allowing Djokovic to secure his break.

After the top seed held serve to trim the deficit to 5-4 Medvedev again had match point and again double faulted.

But the 25-year-old did not squander another chance, gathering himself to clinch the title on his third attempt.

Medvedev later revealed there might have been more drama had the match gone any further. He said he was starting to cramp up just as he began to close out the third and feared Djokovic would pounce if he saw any sign of vulnerability.

"At 5-4, my left leg, I almost couldn't walk," said Medvedev. "When I walked to the towel, my leg was just going behind.

"I was trying not to show it. If Novak feels it, it's not good."

Djokovic arrived on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with the weight of history on his shoulders.

Novak Djokovic during the trophy ceremony. EPA

An extraordinary women's final on Saturday between teenagers Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez had softened the spotlight's glare on Djokovic but there was no shirking from it on Sunday with tennis fans around the world tuned in to witness history.

The women's final was the first Grand Slam to feature two unseeded players but the men's followed the form book to the letter with number one Djokovic meeting number two Medvedev.

The New York crowd had never really embraced Djokovic the way it wrapped its arms around Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafa Nadal, who have also won 20 Grand Slam titles.

It had also shown no real love for Medvedev, the lanky Russian who relished the role of U.S. Open villain on his way to the 2019 final.

Perhaps sensing they were about to witness something special, the crowd rallied behind Djokovic from the moment he stepped on court, showering him with cheers and chants of his nickname: "Nole, Nole, Nole".

"I felt something I never felt in my life here in New York," said Djokovic. "The crowd made me [feel] very special.

"The emotion, the energy was so strong. I mean, it's as strong as winning 21 Grand Slams.

"That's how I felt, honestly."

But no amount of support could lift Djokovic's game.

The Serb had said he would treat the final as if it were the last match of his career but never came close to finding his best.

Medvedev was also keenly aware there was a line in the history books for him if he were the player to deny Djokovic the coveted calendar year Grand Slam.

"It definitely makes it sweeter," said Medvedev. "He was going for huge history and knowing that I managed to stop him it definitely makes it sweeter and brings me confidence for what is to come."