Daniil Medvedev booked his place in the US Open final with a 7-6(5) 6-4 6-3 win over Grigor Dimitrov.
The Russian wasn’t the better player but won the bigger points to grind down a frustrated Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.
It was the 20th win of Medvedev’s US hard court season as he reached his first ever grand slam final in effective fashion.
Awaiting him in the final is either Matteo Berrettini or Rafael Nadal.
This match had all the makings of a difficult one for the Bulgarian from the start as he was made to be too aggressive from the start.
A quick break of serve from the Russian gave him confidence in his defensive skills as he was once again grinding the points in his favour.
However it would be apparent that a key theme of this match would be nerves as both men were looking to make their first grand slam final.
After a couple of missed serves, Dimitrov pounced to gain the break back for 2-2 as he decided to switch up tactics and shorten points up at the net.
In a tournament that has seen him gain his inner-confidence back, Dimitrov was now playing his best set of tennis in a while as he looked to break down the Russian.
Mixing up the play well with slices and good variety was bound to cause the 5th seed some troubles, just like when he succumbed to losses against Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal this season.
Serving well was the key, with precise and accurate serving causing Medvedev trouble on return, which meant that everything was heading towards winning the set.
There was one thing that was missing from Dimitrov’s recent game and that was something that is very crucial in tennis, which is winning the big points.
Just after playing a tight set point, the Bulgarian would play a mediocre tiebreak against a nervous Medvedev, who was making mistakes himself.
Some powerful shot-making sealed the opening set which lasted an hour in a nervy affair on Arthur Ashe and nerves would play a part in the second set as well.
The Cincinnati champion had recovered from an early break down to win three games in a row but was broken again in the fifth game to show signs of frailty.
As the second set went on, the rallies started to lengthen in what was turning into a war of attrition and stamina with a 39 shot rally topping it off.
Although the former ATP Finals champion once again played the better tennis, he was once again outdone by some poor points in the wrong time of the match.
What Dimitrov lacked in, Medvedev thrived in as he took his first set point of the second set to break right at the death for a two sets to love lead.
7️⃣➖6️⃣, 6️⃣➖4️⃣
🇷🇺Medvedev takes a big lead on Dimitrov after grinding out the 2nd set!@DaniilMedwed | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/t2u5wImNiF
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2019
Despite his conservative returning all night, Medvedev was better when it mattered the most as he now assumed control of this semi-final.
A crushing break in the fourth game was the final blow as the Russian sealed a straight sets win to book a place in his first grand slam final.
See you on Sunday, Daniil…
💪 @DaniilMedwed | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/8gpHdR9C5m
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2019
After the match Medvedev reveals he loves the USA after a complicated relationship in recent weeks with the crowd, “I have to tell you it sounds not bad (to be in a Grand Slam final),” Medvedev admitted.
“As I said before, the tournament of controversies. I feel the was much closer in the first set, finally I’m here after three sets. When I was going to the USA, I didn’t know it would be that good. I have to say I love the USA!”
The Russian has the chance to cap off an incredible summer on Sunday with the US Open title on Sunday, where he will face Matteo Berrettini or Rafael Nadal.
