Medvedev wins US Open to end Djokovic calendar Grand Slam bid

Serving at 5-2 Medvedev double faulted on match point, allowing Djokovic to secure his break.

After the top seed held serve to trim the deficit to 5-4 Medvedev again had match point and again double faulted.

But the 25-year-old did not squander another chance, gathering himself to clinch the title on his third attempt.

Medvedev later revealed there might have been more drama had the match gone any further. He said he was starting to cramp up just as he began to close out the third and feared Djokovic would pounce if he saw any sign of vulnerability.

"At 5-4, my left leg, I almost couldn't walk," said Medvedev. "When I walked to the towel, my leg was just going behind.

"I was trying not to show it. If Novak feels it, it's not good."

WEIGHT OF HISTORY

Djokovic arrived on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with the weight of history on his shoulders.

An extraordinary women's final on Saturday between teenagers Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez had softened the spotlight's glare on Djokovic but there was no shirking from it on Sunday with tennis fans around the world tuned in to witness history.

The women's final was the first Grand Slam to feature two unseeded players but the men's followed the form book to the letter with number one Djokovic meeting number two Medvedev.

The New York crowd had never really embraced Djokovic the way it wrapped its arms around Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafa Nadal, who have also won 20 Grand Slam titles.

It had also shown no real love for Medvedev, the lanky Russian who relished the role of U.S. Open villain on his way to the 2019 final.

Perhaps sensing they were about to witness something special, the crowd rallied behind Djokovic from the moment he stepped on court, showering him with cheers and chants of his nickname: "Nole, Nole, Nole".

"I felt something I never felt in my life here in New York," said Djokovic. "The crowd made me (feel) very special.

"The emotion, the energy was so strong. I mean, it's as strong as winning 21 Grand Slams.

"That's how I felt, honestly."

But no amount of support could lift Djokovic's game.

The Serb had said he would treat the final as if it were the last match of his career but never came close to finding his best.

Medvedev was also keenly aware there was a line in the history books for him if he were the player to deny Djokovic the coveted calendar year Grand Slam.

"It definitely makes it sweeter," said Medvedev. "He was going for huge history and knowing that I managed to stop him it definitely makes it sweeter and brings me confidence for what is to come."