In a stunning display of skill and determination, Daniil Medvedev reminded the world on Friday evening that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.
The third seed executed a masterful performance to oust defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, securing a 7-6(3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory and a spot in the US Open final.
Medvedev, at 27 years old, now stands on the brink of a rematch of the 2021 Flushing Meadows final against none other than the legendary Novak Djokovic.
Two years ago, Medvedev delivered a stunning upset, denying Djokovic the historic achievement of winning all four majors in a single season.
On Sunday, Medvedev will aim to once again thwart Djokovic's quest, this time to secure a record-extending 24th Slam title.
"The challenge is to play a guy who won 23 Grand Slams, and I have only one," Medvedev candidly expressed in his post-match interview.
"When I beat him here, I managed to play better than myself, and I need to do it again. There is no other way."
Medvedev's journey to the final was marked by his unwavering determination and a performance that exceeded even his own high standards.
In his quarter-final match against Andrey Rublev, he had emphasized the need for an "11 out of 10" performance to defeat Alcaraz.
Remarkably, that's precisely what he delivered, saving eight of the nine break points he faced.
The match lasted three hours and 18 minutes, cementing Medvedev's place in his third US Open championship clash.
"I said I needed to play 11 out of 10. I played 12 out of 10, except the third set," Medvedev humbly noted.
"That's the only way. I don't know if he's still 20 or 21, but [he is] so young, already two Grand Slams, World No. 1 for many weeks. It's honestly just pretty unbelievable, and I think nobody has done it before him.
To beat him, you need to be better than yourself, and I managed to do it."
What made Medvedev's victory even more impressive was the fact that he entered the semi-finals having lost his previous two encounters with Alcaraz this season.
The young Spaniard had won all five sets they played in those clashes, not conceding more than three games in any of those sets.
However, Medvedev's performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium was nothing short of impeccable, preventing Alcaraz from staging a two-set comeback
a feat he had never accomplished before. While Alcaraz boasts a stellar 9-1 record in five-set matches and remained undefeated at Flushing Meadows, he couldn't force a decisive fifth set against Medvedev, who is now 4-9 in fifth sets.
Medvedev's journey to the final was a stark contrast to his performance in the North American hard-court summer events, where he faced early exits .
Despite those setbacks, he showcased his best tennis at the season's final major, amassing a Tour-leading 38-5 record on hard courts this year and clinching four titles on the surface.
Throughout the match, Medvedev's intense focus and precision on the court were evident. His ball-striking, especially on the forehand side, disrupted Djokovic's comfort zone and led to errors at critical junctures.
The presence of sporting icons like Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, and Charlize Theron in the crowd added to the drama on the court.