PREVIEW | 2023 US Open ATP Final: DJOKOVIC v MEDVEDEV - Which former champion will prevail in re-match of two years ago?

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Sunday, 10 September 2023 at 18:30
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In our preview of the ATP final, Novak Djokovic will take on Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has had a solid run at this season's last major, having defeated all but one of his opponents in straight sets. This included ousting rising talent Ben Shelton in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the semi-finals, where they played against each other for the first time.
Although the Serb dropped two sets in his third-round match against compatriot Laslo Djere, he fought hard to come back from 4-6, 4-6, to win the clash in five sets. This will be his tenth final at Flushing Meadows, and his 36th at Grand Slams in general.
Meanwhile, third seed Medvedev dropped a set each against Christopher O'Connell and thirteenth seed Alex de Minaur but was not taken to five sets throughout his run to the semi-finals. Surprisingly, this continued in his clash with top seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, defeating the Spaniard 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. 

Former champions face each other in re-match

Both Djokovic and Medvedev have won the New York major before, with the former having taken the title three times - in 2011, 2015, and 2018. He will be aiming to stop the five-year gap from getting any longer.
Medvedev won the Grand Slam more recently, lifting the trophy in 2021. This is the 27-year-old's only major title so far, and he will be hoping to secure a second victory here.
However, what makes this final particularly interesting is that it was Djokovic who Medvedev defeated to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows two years ago. He downed the 36-year-old in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, but has admitted that he will need to play at his absolute best in order to repeat history at this year's tournament.

A tough battle awaits

Overall, Djokovic leads their head-to-head 9-5, but it was Medvedev who won their latest meeting 6-4, 6-4, at the 2023 Dubai Tenis Championships.
Nevertheless, Djokovic has looked on incredible form throughout the US Open, winning 263 out of 332 points on his first serve and serving 47 aces. He has also hit 180 winners compared to 144 unforced errors. Medvedev's stats are also very impressive, hitting 60 aces and winning 295 out of 374 points.
However, he will need to clean up his second serve, which has seen him serve 45 double faults throughout the tournament. Although Medvedev will also have the momentum of beating Alcaraz in the previous round, Djokovic's adaptability, stamina, and defenses could give him the edge.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in five sets.

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