Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev are in the final of the US Open. Three-time New York champion Nadal won his semi-final against Italian Matteo Berrettini 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 4, 6: 1 for the fifth time in Flushing Meadows in the final. Medvedev prevailed against Bulgarians Grigor Dimitrov 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 4, 6: 3 and play for the first time in one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in a final.
"The first set was a bit frustrating because I did not use so many chances to break, but I survived the tiebreak and it became easier after the break in the second set," Nadal said.
Nadal is the last of the so-called big three who is still in New York. Roger Federer was previously in the quarterfinals, injured Novak Djokovic injured in the second round. The opportunity to win his 19th Grand Slam title is great for Nadal.
First grand slam finalist of the new generation
And yet: The new generation is putting the big three more and more under pressure and is now with Medvedev also the first finalist in a Grand Slam tournament. In addition to Medvedev Alexander Zverev or the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas belong to the hopes for the future. But at the moment Medvedev is furthest. "He's playing the best tennis on the tour this summer," Nadal said of his final opponent.
Before the US Open, the 23-year-old had reached the final in Washington and Montreal and even won in Cincinnati. No player has won more matches this year than Medvedev, who has won 50 times. In New York, Medvedev had initially raised the audience against himself, but seems punctually reconciled to the final on Sunday reconciled with the fans.
Charles Krupa / AP
Will have to stretch again in the final: Daniil Medvedev
While it is the premiere in a major final for Medvedev, Nadal is in the final for the 27th time in Melbourne, Paris, Wimbledon or New York. He has won 18 of these games. The last Grand Slam winner, who was not Djokovic, Federer or Nadal, was Stan Wawrinka 2016 in New York. In the following eleven Grand Slam tournaments, the winner always came from among the three players who have dominated world tennis for years.
Medvedev knows about the task that awaits him now: "He is one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport, he is a machine, a beast in the field, and the energy he shows is incredible."
In the case of women too, the offspring are demanding the elite
In the first single final in New York this Saturday (10 pm CEST, live ticker SPIEGEL, TV: Eurosport) 37-year-old top favorite Serena Williams and 19-year-old whiz kid Bianca Andreescu meet. Williams aspires to her 24 Grand Slam title, which she would catch up with the Australian Margaret Court.