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Daniil Medvedev US Open 2021

‘Daniil Medvedev never drops his level,’ says Dominic Thiem ahead of US Open final


US Open defending champion Dominic Thiem has heaped praise on this year’s US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev, who ‘never drops his level’. 

The Austrian star has been forced to watch the US Open from the sidelines due to injury, though has been in prime position to watch the impressive Daniil Medvedev.

The Russian star dispatched the impressive Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday to set up a crunch clash with Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

Medvedev, who is still chasing his first maiden Slam title, will need to stop Djokovic from making history as he bids to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the Calendar Slam.

Despite Djokovic failing to lose a Grand Slam match all year, Thiem has been hugely impressed by Medvedev at Flushing Meadows.

“He [Medvedev] never drops his level, no matter how long a match goes,” Thiem told Eurosport.

“He’s very difficult to break as he has a great first and second serve. He puts a lot of shots in from the baseline, which is his speciality, and this combination is so tough.

“Hard courts are his best and he is moving extraordinarily well, especially on a hard court.”

Mats Wilander added: “Everyone knows how good Medvedev is, and he puts every ball back in play. Felix looked shocked that he wasn’t giving him anything.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.