Then there was one.
In this year’s U.S. Open, Daniil Medvedev is the last one standing from one of the most exclusive clubs in tennis.
The 28-year-old Russian, ranked No. 5 in the world, dispatched Italy’s Flavio Cobolli (No. 31) in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, Saturday night in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium and is the only former U.S. Open champion remaining on the men’s side.
Medvedev will next face Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who is ranked No. 34 in the world.
“It was a fun match to play,” Medvedev said. “Crowd was pretty full for such a late time. I was enjoying myself.”
Medvedev won the U.S. Open in 2021 by beating the legendary Novak Djokovic — last year’s champion — who lost this year to No. 28 Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who won the U.S. Open in 2022, lost to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschuld in the second round.
“For me, upsets don’t really matter,” Medvedev said. “That means the conditions are a bit tricky, so the favorites maybe have less margin [for error] against the other guys. Just have to be more cautious. If I play good tennis, I can win the whole thing. If I don’t play good, I can lose against anyone.”
Beyond winning the U.S. Open in 2021, Medvedev — who owns one of the most colorful personalities on the tour — has made the tournament’s final two other times.
Djokovic captured revenge against Medvedev in last year’s final, and Rafael Nadal defeated him in the 2019 final. Medvedev also made the semifinals in 2020.
He has largely played his best tennis at the U.S. Open.
With Saturday’s win, he improved his all-time U.S. Open record to 32-6. And now, he’s reached the fourth round each of the last six years.
Medvedev’s serve was dominant — he won 81 percent of his first serves, and he recorded nine aces to Cobolli’s 2.
Saturday was the first time the two matched up against each other.
Medvedev owns a 2-0 record against Borges, however, with both matches coming this year.
“He’s a very tough opponent,” Medvedev said. “I played him first in the Australian Open, he surprised me with how much power he has. Very aggressive player. Not an easy match.”
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