Carlos Alcaraz had destroyed Daniil Medvedev in easy straight sets in their two previous meetings this season, so almost everyone in the tennis world expected to see another chapter of the Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic rivalry in Sunday’s US Open final.

But Daniil Medvedev had other ideas.

Medvedev avenged recent losses to Alcaraz in Indian Wells and at Wimbledon by upsetting the world No 1 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 after three hours and 19 minutes of play. The Russian will battle Djokovic for the title in a rematch of the 2021 final at Flushing Meadows, which Medvedev won in straight sets to prevent the Serb from capturing the calendar-year Grand Slam.

Medvedev thwarts Alcaraz comeback attempt

After Medvedev took the first two sets, Alcaraz started clawing his way back in the third. The 20-year-old Spaniard finally got some momentum on his side when he broke for a 3-1 advantage. Alcaraz eventually survived a deuce game for 5-2 before serving out the set at 5-3.

The fourth set all came down to a trio of dramatic games, all of which went Medvedev’s way.

The world No 3 saved three break points at 1-1 and managed to hold. With Alcaraz serving at 2-3, the top seed had a whopping seven game points but could not get over the line. Medvedev eventually converted his second break chance with a perfect backhand return that Alcaraz — who served and volleyed — could not handle at his feet. Serving for victory at 5-3, Medvedev fought off three break points and needed four match points to get the job done.