© Getty Images Sport – Matthew Stockman
Daniil Medvedev highlighted he expects a very strong version of Novak Djokovic in this year’s US Open final as the Russian stated he will need to be “10 times better” this time than he was in the 2021 US Open final. Exactly two years ago, Medvedev ousted Djokovic 6-4 6-4 6-4 to win his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.
This Sunday, Medvedev and Djokovic are set to meet again in the final at Flushing Meadows. “He is always better than previous time he plays. For example, I beat him US Open final; he beat me in Bercy in a great match. Carlos beat him Wimbledon; he beat him in Cincinnati.
Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him. When he (Djokovic) loses, he’s never the same after. He’s different. It’s just a different mentality.
That’s why he has 23 Grand Slams, whatever, Masters 1000s, weeks at No 1. I have to use it knowing that he’s going to be 10 times better than he was that day. And I have to be, if I want to still beat him, 10 times better than I was that day.
That’s what I’m going to try to do,” Medvedev said.
Can Medvedev beat Djokovic again in the US Open final?
After losing the 2021 US Open final, Djokovic ended on the winning side in the next four matches against Medvedev.
In February, Medvedev finally beat Djokovic in Dubai to end his four-match losing streak against the Serb. When Medvedev and Djokovic meet in the US Open final, it will be their first meeting since the Russian defeated the Serb in Dubai.
Going into the US Open final, Djokovic owns a 9-5 head-to-head record against Medvedev. But Medvedev has won their lone meeting at the US Open so far.
