Daniil Medvedev is off to a winning start at Flushing Meadows and has booked his place in the third round after defeating Fabian Marozsan in straight sets.
The US Open has been the grand slam tournament that has bore the most fruit for the Russian over the years, having reached the final in three of the previous five editions.
While Medvedev has a complicated relationship with the New York crowd, he has extremely fond memories of his time playing here.
This year, the 28-year-old is bidding to emulate the form that propelled him to his maiden major title in 2021 where he stunned Novak Djokovic in a one-sided final.
Medvedev has blitzed his opening two rounds and remains on a collision course with world number one Jannik Sinner to meet in the quarter-final in what would be a rematch of this year’s thrilling Australian Open final.
Daniil Medvedev recalls career-changing moment at US Open
Daniil Medvedev first caused a stir at the US Open in 2019 during his heated third-round match with Feliciano Lopez.
The Russian was seen directing a gesture made with his middle finger at the crowd, provoking jeers and boos from the loud New Yorkers.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, Medvedev ended up winning the encounter, but it was his infamous post-match interview that ended up dominating the headlines as he sarcastically thanked the crowd for their support, claiming he owed his success to them.
Upon return to Flushing Meadows, the world number five has been asked about that day back in 2019 and what it represents in the context of his career.
“That night was one of my best [matches], for sure,” Medvedev said in a press conference. “In terms of my tennis, to be able to win this match was unbelievable.
“When I did the bad gesture I deserved the hate and the boos, but I managed to win the match with Feliciano also playing unbelievably that day. He was playing unreal and I managed to win it and be in the final.
“In a way, that’s where my grand slam career started because before I was never in the quarters. So, to be honest, it was one of the greatest moments of my career and the interview, it’s always great to watch.”
Medvedev is always a threat at Flushing Meadows
Even amid the controversy and the crowd provocation, Medvedev made it to the 2019 final, only to lose to Rafael Nadal in a five-set epic.
He had never made it past the fourth round of a major before that tournament, so it is understanding to hear how highly he regards that run among the others that have followed.
Medvedev has enjoyed success every time he steps foot on Arthur Ashe stadium, and this year is likely to be no different.
He will be forced to rue the missed opportunity to clinch his second major after throwing away a two set lead to Sinner in Melbourne in January, but he will be eager to avenge himself if they were to meet in the quarter-final.
Medvedev will continue his campaign on Saturday against world number 31 Flavio Cobolli.
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