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2019 US Open Champion: [2] Rafael Nadal -02- (ESP)
Match recap from Arthur Ashe Stadium announcer Andy Taylor.
► def [5] Daniil Medvedev -05- (RUS) 75 63 57 46 64
Few can maintain punishing rallies like Daniil Medvedev. That’s been one of the secrets to his unmatched success during this Summer’s US Open Series…and one of the reasons he owns more match victories in 2019 than any other player.
But there’s more – Like raw talent. Tremendous reaction time and flexibility. A complete lack of intimidation. An arsenal of weapons, including serve and volley. But most importantly – the first Russian US Open Finalist since Marat Safin has a defiant, stubborn will.
Down 2-sets and a break – Tonight, Daniil Medvedev came-back and forced a deciding-set against a legendary Grand Slam gladiator. Arthur Ashe Stadium was locked-in from ball-up. The atmosphere, explosive. With each set Medvedev claimed during his improbable comeback, the fans out-crescendo’d themselves. It was a spectacular match, dripping with highlights, dramatic rallies and mind-numbing endurance.
And in the end, Daniil Medvedev won-over the New York crowd with his poise on the court, and character on the mic.
Grand Slam title #19 for Rafael Nadal
However, right now there’s one disciplined, fit and healthy Major champion who can weather Medvedev’s endurance and consistency. Right now there’s one experienced talent who can still execute a brilliant tactical strategy to outperform and crush the will of a brick wall, despite that wall’s surging brilliance. Right now, there’s Rafael Nadal – who unlike Novak Djokovic, came into Flushing healthy.
Tonight, this Summer’s top-2 talents faced-off in the US Open Final. It was a 5-hour clash that will live in US Open infamy. Experience – and a fortunate draw (Nadal’s Round-2 walkover) – played a critical role in the outcome. Need proof? Ask Rafael Nadal to compare this year’s US Open championship run to last year’s punishing Semifinal slog, which ended in a retirement against Del Potro.
With tonight’s victory, Nadal ended Medvedev’s 12-match win-streak, extending his own streak to 11. Now a 4-time US Open and 19-time Grand Slam Champion, Nadal is just one Slam away from joining Roger Federer at the top of the heap.
Also, capturing 2 titles in 3 Major Finals? At 33-years-old, that’s a tremendous Grand Slam season. Tonight, Rafael Nadal became the second-oldest US Open winner since a 35-year-old Ken Rosewall lifted the trophy in 1970. Legend.
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Championship Biography | [2] Rafael Nadal -02- (ESP)
At 33-years-old, he is one of the greatest to ever play the game. This June at Roland Garros, he won his record 12th title and became the only player ever to win a Grand Slam tournament 12-times. A 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 4-time Davis Cup Champion, he owns a record 35 Masters-1000 titles and 83 career Singles titles in all. And it was here, in 2010, at just 24-years-old, he became the youngest player in the Open Era to earn the Career Grand Slam. Tonight, he is competing in his 27th career Grand Slam Final – His 5th here at the US Open. From Mallorca Spain – Please welcome 3-time US Open and 18-time Grand Slam Champion, Rafael Nadal.
▲ FF: def [5] Daniil Medvedev -05- (RUS) 75 63 57 46 64
▲ SF: def [24] Matteo Berrettini -25- (ITA) 76(6) 64 61
▲ QF: def [21] Diego Schwartzman -21- (ARG) 64 75 62
▲ R4: def [22] Marin Cilic -23- (CRO) 63 36 61 62
▲ R3: def [Q] Hyeon Chung -170- (KOR) 63 64 62
▲ R2: -WALKOVER- | Thanasi Kokkinakis -203- (AUS)
▲ R1: def John Millman -60- (AUS) 63 62 62
Championship Biography | [5] Daniil Medvedev -05- (RUS)
After a tremendous Summer on the US Open Series – Tonight, this 23-year-old is making his Grand Slam Final debut. Since July, he’s reached four consecutive championship matches, captured his first Masters-1000 title in Cincinnati, climbed to a career-high ranking of World #5, and qualified for the ATP Finals for the first time. He owns 5 ATP Tour Singles titles and comes into tonight’s championship on a 12-match win-streak. The first man from Russia to reach a Grand Slam Final in 14-years, please welcome Daniil Medvedev.
▲ SF: def Grigor Dimitrov -78- (BUL) 76(5) 64 63
▲ QF: def [23] Stan Wawrinka -24- (SUI) 76(6) 63 36 61
▲ R4: def Dominik Koepfer -118- (GER) 36 63 62 76(2)
▲ R3: def Feliciano Lopez -61- (ESP) 76(1) 46 76(7) 64
▲ R2: def Hugo Dellien -84- (BOL) 63 75 57 63
▲ R1: def Prajnesh Gunneswaran -88- (IND) 64 61 62
Head to Head
These two had met once before, earlier this Summer in the championship match of the US Open Series event in Montreal. Rafael Nadal won that match in 2-sets, earning his record 35th Masters-1000 title.
