Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner will meet in the second week of a grand slam for the third time this year when they face off in a mouthwatering quarter-final clash at the US Open on Wednesday.
It was heartbreak for Medvedev in January as he failed to capitalize on a two-set lead for the second time in a major final to hand Sinner his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open.
However, Medvedev avenged this loss by beating Sinner at Wimbledon in July to snap his five-match losing streak against the Italian.
The US Open has been the grand slam tournament that has bore the most fruit for the Russian over the years and he is in strong contention to lift a second title this week.
Meanwhile, Sinner has managed to not let the off-court controversy surrounding his doping case hinder his tennis, with the world number one looking as ruthless as ever.
Daniil Medvedev needs to surprise Jannik Sinner
Both Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner have dropped just one set so far as they gear up for their most important test.
The top half of the draw was blown wide open when Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat in the third round, and both Medvedev and Sinner will be eager to capitalize on this as they bid to add another major trophy to their cabinets.
If their previous meetings on the grand slam stage this year are anything to go by, this promises to be a blockbuster match.
“I feel like in a way we know our game and what we will try to bring on the table,” Medvedev said. “Then it comes to always these moments like a deuce and break points, maybe [I’ll] try to surprise.
“Hopefully we can have a great match, I know that if I want to beat him I will need to be at my best, which I have managed to do a couple of times. It’s going to be a great match.”
Medvedev has his eyes on second US Open title
Flushing Meadows has been a happy hunting ground for Medvedev, who soared to glory in 2021 after defeating Novak Djokovic in a one-sided final.
The 28-year-old has made an appearance in three of the previous five finals and there is no reason why he can’t do it again.
Medvedev possesses the game to push his opponents to the limit and neutralize any threat they may pose, which is why he found himself on the cusp of victory in Melbourne in January.
It was a crushing defeat for the Russian, but the hangover didn’t last too long before he was back competing in the latter stages of tournaments.
But, if there is a major tournament that Medvedev is going to win again, it is likely to be the US Open.
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