Norrie had not beaten a top-20 player since January 2024 and had lost all four of his previous matches against Medvedev – including a meeting in Rome earlier in May.

The world number 81 started superbly but had to withstand a Medvedev fightback, with the Russian frequently switching from irate to dialled in as he forced a fifth set.

Norrie then battled back from a break down in the decider to win 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5 in just under four hours.

Later, Sonay Kartal joined Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter in the third round with a dominant victory over Erika Andreeva on her French Open debut.

It is the first time since 1973 that six Britons have reached the second round at Roland Garros.

Medvedev served for the match at 5-4 in the fifth but could not hold off Norrie, who then won three games in a row to seal victory.

Norrie had also recovered from a break down in the opener and kept his cool as Medvedev ranted at his box throughout the first two sets.

Norrie launched his racquet into the air in celebration after a long Medvedev forehand confirmed his victory.

“There wasn’t a lot on my mind on match point,” Norrie, 29, said.

“I felt that he was a little tentative but honestly, it was a crazy match.

“I think I deserve a diploma for beating Medvedev because he’s beaten me the last four times. It was an unreal match.”

The Briton will face Argentine lucky loser Federico Gomez for a place in the third round.

Medvedev will say at almost every available opportunity that clay is not his favourite surface – but that takes nothing away from Norrie, who was outstanding.

Hitting with depth and pummelling his forehand in particular, he stuck in the rallies with the defensive Medvedev and returned serve well.

He went a break down in the first set but capitalised as Medvedev tightened up when serving for it – as the Russian would do again at the end of the match.

After taking the opener, Norrie marched out to a 4-0 lead in the second, with Medvedev yelling at himself and his coach in French and frequently gesticulating to his box.

Brave hitting gave Norrie a two-set lead before Medvedev found his focus, cutting out the theatrics and racing through two sets to force a decider.

Having broken Norrie in the third game, all the energy was with Medvedev – but an error-strewn service game as he tried to secure victory gave the initiative back to Norrie.

Norrie then held serve confidently and, stepping in to the court to put pressure on Medvedev, managed to avoid a match tie-break.

In the men’s doubles, British sixth seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash fought back to beat Australia’s Rinky Hijikata and Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6 6-2 6-3 in their first-round match.

Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski also advanced, seeing off German-Russian pairing Andreas Mies and Roman Safiullin 6-2 6-4.

However, Emily Appleton and her Spanish partner Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers lost 7-5 6-4 to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua and Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.

Italy’s Sinner was a 6-2 1-6 6-1 6-4 winner over the Russian fifth seed in New York.

Sinner, who won the Australian Open in January, and Medvedev were the only two major champions left in the men’s draw and the match between them was highly anticipated.

However, neither men were able to find their best tennis at the same time.

Medvedev, a beaten finalist at Flushing Meadows last year and in 2019, hit six double faults and sprayed 57 unforced errors

While Sinner was not at his most accurate, he was far superior on serve, closing out victory in two hours and 39 minutes.

Sinner will now face his occasional doubles partner Draper in Friday’s semi-final.

“We know each other very well, we are good friends off the court,” Sinner said of Draper.

“It’s going to be very tough – I’m just happy to be in the semis.”

There is now guaranteed to be a first-time US Open winner in both the men’s and women’s singles, with Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe contesting the second men’s semi-final.​​​​​​​

Sinner and Medvedev have met at three of the four Grand Slams this year, but this match did not fully reach the high quality of their previous outings.

Sinner came back from two sets down against Medvedev to win his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne, while Medvedev got his revenge in another five-set match in the Wimbledon last eight in July.

Asked to serve first, Medvedev was immediately under pressure, having to save a break point before being broken to love a few games later.

Sinner barely missed a step on serve before the start of the second set, when he was drawn into the longer rallies that Medvedev thrives on.

The Russian went up an early break and doubled his advantage after a 10-minute game on the Sinner serve which ended with the Italian dumping a forehand into the net.

With the match level, the momentum swung towards Sinner, who reeled off five games in a row and had three set points on the Medvedev serve to register a dreaded ‘bagel’.

Medvedev managed to scrape one game in the third set and went off court to regroup, but immediately had to recover from 0-30 down in his first service game and a break of serve felt inevitable.

Once Sinner secured the decisive break for a 4-3 lead, his quality came through, with victory secured with a stunning forehand winner.

Sinner has lost only two hard-court matches this season and won four titles on the surface, including his Australian Open triumph.

His most recent success was at Cincinnati in August, winning the title the day before news emerged he had been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year.

Russia’s Medvedev, champion in New York three years ago, was barely troubled by the Portuguese in a 6-0 6-1 6-3 win.

Medvedev is the only former US Open champion left in the draw in New York, and the only Grand Slam singles champion other than Jannik Sinner.

He could potentially face world number one Sinner – who beat him from two sets down in the Australian Open final in January – next.

It is the fifth time in the past six years that Medvedev has reached the last eight at the US Open.

Medvedev was interviewed on court afterwards by Nick Kyrgios, who was the last player to beat him before the quarter-final stage.

“The last time I lost in the fourth round was against you, right? Good memories,” the 28-year-old joked.

“I try to work hard. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.

“I have the mentality that if the other guy practises more than me, I have less chances to win, and I want to win all the time.”

Medvedev was broken just once in the match, as he went down 2-1 in the third set, before play was delayed after a fire alarm went off in the building where the electronic line calling team is.

The US Open does not have line judges, with all the calls made by the Hawkeye technology.

The building was evacuated, leading to a brief pause in play, before fifth seed Medvedev immediately broke back and won five of the next six games to advance.

Sinner faces Tommy Paul in the night session on Arthur Ashe later on Monday.

Britain’s Jack Draper earlier advanced with an impressive straight-set victory over Tomas Machac to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

Fifth seed Medvedev was attempting to avenge last year’s semi-final defeat when he fell in straight sets to the Spaniard.

But after faltering at the start of a thrilling sequel, Alcaraz soon bounced back to wrap up a 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 win.

The 21-year-old stretched out his arms and let out a roar when Medvedev fired wide on the first match point.

He will play seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in what will be a repeat of the 2023 showpiece after the Serb beat Lorenzo Musetti in the other last-four tie.

“It will be a good day for Spanish people as well,” Alcaraz said of Sunday, with Spain due to take on England in the Euro 2024 final later in the day.

That led to the Centre Court crowd briefly – and jokingly – booing him for hinting at his allegiance.

Smiling, the three-time major winner, added: “I didn’t say Spain are going to win – but I say it will be a fun, fun day.”

Alcaraz could become just the ninth man in the Open era to retain the Wimbledon title – after Djokovic, Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

It’s also his chance to win back-to-back titles at Roland Garros and SW19 – a rare accomplishment completed by his hero Rafael Nadal in both 2008 and 2010, and achieved most recently by Djokovic in 2021.

Medvedev, who defeated world number one Jannik Sinner, will be looking to avenge his defeat in the 2023 last-four match that Alcaraz won in straight sets on his way to taking the title.

Alcaraz was a set and a break of serve down on Court One on Tuesday against American Paul, the 12th seed, but recovered to win 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-2 in a match that lasted three hours 11 minutes.

Meanwhile, Medvedev had to fight every bit as hard as he defeated Sinner 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-3 win in four hours on Centre Court.

Alcaraz has already won three Grand Slam titles at the age of 21, while Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, will be aiming to reach the Wimbledon final for the first time.

“Daniil’s a really great player. It’s the same semi-final as last year so hopefully I’m going to get the same result,” said Alcaraz.

“He just won against Sinner, the best player right now, so he’s in really good shape and I have to play my best.

“I have to believe in myself and try to keep going. It’s going to be difficult but I’m going to enjoy it.”

‘I believe in myself the whole time’

Spaniard Alcaraz is a keen football fan and had spoken of his desire to be able to watch Spain in their Euro 2024 semi-final against France later on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old looked like he was in a rush to finish his match as he instantly piled on the pressure and took his sixth break-point opportunity to move 2-1 ahead.

However, Paul, the champion at Queen’s Club last month, instantly got back on serve as a pulsating encounter full of breathtaking shots, power and commitment played out in front of an enthralled Court One crowd.

The sixth game lasted more than 15 minutes, with Paul, in his first Wimbledon quarter-final, missing three chances of a break.

But that did not prove costly.

He was two points from the opening set in the 10th game, but got over the line two games later, finishing off a delightful passing shot which Alcaraz at full stretch could not reach.

Paul took a 2-0 lead in the second set, but from then on Alcaraz recovered and stamped his authority thanks to his court coverage, ability to find spectacular winners and his impressive first serves.

The opening three games of the third set saw neither player able to hold serve, but with Paul tiring and starting to produce unforced errors, Alcaraz pulled clear and sealed a superb victory.

“When I lost the first set it was difficult,” said Alcaraz. “But I knew it’s a really long journey so I had to stay there.

“If I’m struggling and the opponent is playing great tennis, I believe I’ll be able to come back and find solutions – I believe in myself the whole time.”

‘Really happy with my game’

Medvedev ended his losing streak against Sinner in a captivating contest.

Italian top seed Sinner, who was hampered by illness, had won his most recent five encounters against Medvedev – including January’s Australian Open final.

But Russian fifth seed Medvedev avenged that Melbourne result.

“I knew if I wanted to beat Jannik it needs to be a tough match,” said Medvedev.

“I’m really happy to win, really happy with my game and looking forward.”​​​​​​​

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Medvedev is through to a second straight Wimbledon semi-final

In their Australian Open title match, Sinner made an incredible comeback from two sets down to claim his maiden Grand Slam trophy.

On Tuesday, the 22-year-old took an early lead when Medvedev cracked first in a tie-break – double-faulting on Sinner’s second set point.

However, Sinner started to appear unwell and struggled to maintain his intensity levels as Medvedev patiently rode out the second set after breaking early.

Still out of sorts and after dropping serve early once again, Sinner called for a medical timeout in the third set, receiving attention before going off the court for almost 10 minutes.

He returned with renewed energy and the support of the crowd, slowly working his way back. Sinner could not capitalise on two set points, though, as Medvedev held firm and came out on top in a tie-break to nudge ahead in the match.

Former teenage prodigy Sinner raced through the fourth set to take the match into a decider – to the delight of the Centre Court crowd.

But it was Medvedev who finished the stronger, breaking for a 3-1 lead before sealing victory with a backhand winner on his first match point.

Italy’s Sinner, 22, trailed by two sets before recovering to win 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in his first major final.

Fourth seed Sinner initially could not cope with the Russian’s pace but imposed himself as the contest wore on.

It was another bitter experience for Medvedev, who also blew a two-set lead against Rafael Nadal in the 2022 final.

A first-time champion in Melbourne was guaranteed after Sinner knocked out 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Sinner ensured his name goes on the trophy – fulfilling the talent that many had predicted would lead to a Grand Slam triumph – after an epic match lasting almost four hours.

Third seed Medvedev has lost five of his six major finals, including back-to-back finals to Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in 2022 at Melbourne Park.

Sinner clinched victory with a forehand winner down the line, falling to his back on the baseline in celebration.

Medvedev trudged around the net to offer his congratulations before Sinner thumped his heart on his way to celebrate with his team.

Looking disconsolate as he tried to process the loss while sitting on his chair, Medvedev managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd when they applauded his efforts.

“It hurts to lose in the final but probably being in the final is better than losing before,” Medvedev said.

“I always want to win and I guess I have to try harder next time.”

Marathon man Medvedev runs out of steam

So many players with the experience of a Grand Slam final have talked about how different the occasion can be, particularly if it is the first time, and potentially overwhelming.

Medvedev, whose sole major triumph came at the 2021 US Open, hoped his greater experience in these situations would tell against Sinner.

While Sinner did not appear to be hampered by nerves, Medvedev simply suffocated him with an attacking approach in the opening two sets which proved to be a smart strategy.

Ultimately, his defeat boiled down to endurance – and perhaps some mental scars from the defeat by Nadal on the same stage.

Medvedev had spent almost six hours more on court over the Melbourne fortnight than his younger opponent.

Three times he had to outlast his opponents in five-set matches and twice fought back from two sets down, including a remarkable semi-final against German sixth seed Alexander Zverev.

Before the final, Medvedev spoke about Sinner having the physical advantage and knew he would have to make a fast start to maximise his chances.

That was exactly what he managed to do.

However, he was unable to maintain the pace and ferocity of his groundstrokes, looking increasingly weary as Sinner fought back.

Wimbledon champion Alcaraz lost 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-4 to Germany’s Zverev, who won the event in 2018 and 2021.

It is the first time the 20-year-old Spaniard has lost three matches in a row since March 2021, when he was ranked outside the world’s top 100.

In the day’s other Red Group singles match, third seed Daniil Medvedev beat fellow Russian Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-2.

In the doubles, Briton Joe Salisbury and American partner Rajeev Ram made a winning start to their title defence with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Australian Matthew Ebden and Rohan Bopanna of India.

And Britain’s Neal Skupski and Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof – who are playing in their final tournament together – began their campaign with a 6-3 6-4 win over Australians Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata.

Alcaraz struggles for consistency

World number two Alcaraz missed last year’s tournament with an abdominal injury and was making his debut at the season-ending men’s event for the world’s top eight players.

He had been hampered by foot and back problems last month and lost in his opening match at the Paris Masters on his return from injury.

His shaky form continued on Monday as he struggled for consistency on the fast indoor hard court against Zverev.

He trailed 3-1 in the opener before breaking back and staved off four break points in his next service game to lead the German for the first time.

Zverev himself saved two set points to force a tie-break, but Alcaraz found some semblance of rhythm to clinch the opener.

However, seventh seed Zverev responded instantly, breaking Alcaraz at the first opportunity as he forced a deciding set.

Zverev played the big points better throughout, saving five of six break points and hitting 16 aces before sealing victory with a service winner.

But there was a worrying moment for the German – who missed last year’s event while recovering from a nasty right ankle injury sustained at the 2022 French Open – when he fell on his left ankle towards the end of the match.

“I didn’t twist my ankle. I kind of slipped. There was a pain for a while and I don’t think any damage has been done,” the ATP Finals website quoted Zverev as saying. “I hope not and we will see when it settles down. It is nothing comparable to Paris.”

Medvedev halts Turin losing run

World number three Daniil Medvedev was defeated in all three of his round-robin matches in Turin last year, losing all of them in third-set tie-breaks.

But the 2020 champion has got off to a much better start this time and was in dominant form against compatriot Rublev, whose increasing frustration boiled over at times.

In a high-quality and draining first set played from the baseline, Medvedev broke in the seventh game but was then tested when serving for the set three games later.

The 2021 US Open champion had to save four break points – helped by some brilliant reflexes at the net – and squandered three set points with some loose play before finally converting his fourth.

Medvedev then ran away with the second, going a double break up after his opponent and good friend slipped on the court while reaching for a shot.

That left Rublev nursing his right hand after he landed on it and he sat with his head in his hands at the changeover, talking to himself and then taking his emotions out on a water bottle.

Medvedev quickly wrapped up victory, serving out to love, to go top of the group above Zverev because he won in straight sets.

The ATP Finals features eight of the year’s best men’s players split into two groups of four, with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic is the defending champion and secured the year-end number-one status with victory over Denmark’s Holger Rune on Sunday.

The Serb is back in action on Tuesday when he takes on home hope Jannik Sinner (20:00 GMT), while Rune faces Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the other singles match (13:30) in Green Group.

Serbia’s Djokovic, who had not played since a Davis Cup match on 15 September, won 6-3 6-2 against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The 24-time major champion will face Tallon Griekspoor in the last 16.

Third seed Daniil Medvedev appeared to raise his middle finger to the crowd after he lost to Grigor Dimitrov.

Medvedev, 27, reacted to being booed by the French fans having eventually buckled against the Bulgarian, who took his seventh match point to clinch a 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-2) win.

The jeers towards Medvedev started when he flung his racquet in the second set and he refused to continue until the boos stopped, leading to a time violation from umpire Renaud Lichtenstein and a subsequent argument.

Asked about the gesture as he walked off court, the former world number one said: “I just checked my nails, it’s nothing more than that. Why would I do that to this beautiful crowd in Paris?”

The Russian’s defeat means the two leading seeds behind Djokovic are already out, with Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz suffering a shock exit against 45th-ranked Roman Safiullin on Tuesday.

Djokovic, 36, further boosted his chances of finishing above Alcaraz as the year-end number one with his winning return to the tour.

Having not played a tour-level singles match since lifting the US Open title on 10 September, Djokovic looked sharp throughout against world number 31 Etcheverry.

Djokovic, showing his usual precise hitting and athleticism, won three of seven break points and saved the only one he faced.

Sinner wins late as Rune, Zverev & Tsitsipas progress

Italian fourth seed Italian Jannik Sinner battled back to beat American Mackenzie McDonald in a match which finished at 02:37 local time.

Sinner, who triumphed at last week’s Vienna Open, lost a first-set tie-break but progressed 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-1 after edging the second and closing out victory by winning five successive games.

The 22-year-old is due back on court on Thursday against Australian Alex de Minaur in the fourth match of the day session.

“I lost the first set in a bad way and I’m still getting used to the conditions, but I’m happy about the win and to be in the next round,” Sinner said.

“It was tough going on court after midnight, but it was nice to still have some crowd watching.”

Danish sixth seed Holger Rune, who beat Djokovic in last year’s final, started his title defence with a 6-4 6-2 win over Austria’s Dominic Thiem.

Rune also moved a step closer to securing his place at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, as did Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas with an impressive win over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Serving well under pressure to save six of seven break points, 25-year-old Tsitsipas earned a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) success to reach the last 16.

Tsitsipas will next play German 10th seed Alexander Zverev, who it was reported on Tuesday has been charged with assaulting an ex-girlfriend.

Zverev, who is aiming to book his spot in Turin, saved 11 break points before France’s Ugo Humbert took his next two chances to level the match and move a break up in the decider.

But 26-year-old Zverev fought back to seal a 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-5) win after three hours and 28 minutes.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz became the first man since 2019 to hit 1,000 aces in a single season as he beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 6-2.

Australia’s De Minaur progressed by beating Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 4-6 6-4 6-4 in what was the 200th win of his career.

Murray misses out on Turin & Skupski splits with Koolhof

British doubles player Jamie Murray saw his hopes of reaching the ATP Finals ended by a second-round defeat in Paris.

Murray, 37, and New Zealand’s Michael Venus, who are ninth in the race with the top eight qualifying for Turin, lost 6-4 6-3 to Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez and France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Meanwhile, Britain’s world number three Neal Skupski is looking for a new partner for the 2024 season after Dutchman Wesley Koolhof ended their successful partnership.

The pair won the Wimbledon title earlier this year and could still finish the season as the world’s best pair, but Koolhof has decided to team up again with his former partner Nikola Mektic of Croatia.

The 36-year-old Serb won 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 but the straight-set scoreline does not tell how deep he had to dig.

A comfortable opening set was followed by a brutal second which lasted one hour and 44 minutes.

After the pair exchanged breaks early in the third, Djokovic took control to level Margaret Court’s 50-year record.

“It obviously means the world to me,” said Djokovic on winning his 24th major.

“I’m really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in this sport, which has given me and my family so much from difficult circumstances.

“I never thought I would be here but the last couple of years I thought I had a shot at history. Why not grab it when it is presented?”

Second seed Djokovic looked physically troubled in that gruelling second set, but showed all the hallmarks of his greatness to win a fourth US Open title.

Djokovic, who surpassed Rafael Nadal’s record tally of 22 men’s major titles earlier this year, has matched Australia’s Court at the second attempt after losing the Wimbledon final in July.

He has won three of the four Grand Slam titles in 2023, becoming the first man to achieve this feat on four occasions.

Now the incoming world number one has the chance to surpass Court at January’s Australian Open – where he has already won a record 10 titles.

It felt fitting that Djokovic set up championship point by winning another lengthy rally and, after being made to wait to serve by shouts from the crowd, sealed victory when Medvedev hit a forehand into the net.

“I would definitely sign right away the paper if somebody would tell me I would win three out of four and play Wimbledon finals this year,” Djokovic said.

“There is a little regret that I didn’t win that Wimbledon final. But, at the end of the day, I have so much more to be happier and content with than actually to regret something.”

Djokovic shows again why he can never be written off

When Djokovic lost to 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final it felt like a changing-of-the-guard moment in the men’s game.

But, even in the twilight of his career, Djokovic continues to show he can never be written off.

Djokovic has won eight of the past 12 majors he has played at and will replace Alcaraz again as the world number one on Monday.

“It’s not my interest or business to really review what everyone talks about or thinks, whether there is a passing of the torch, or whatever you want to call it, happening or not happening in the sport,” he said.

“I focus on what I need to do and how I get myself in an optimal state so that I can win the biggest trophies in our sport. That’s what I care about.”

Djokovic was dialled in from the start of Sunday’s final, playing patiently and precisely to break for a 2-0 lead, with Medvedev looking ragged as he fell 3-0 behind.

With Medvedev deep behind the baseline when receiving, Djokovic smartly decided to serve-volley on his way to 4-1 – a tactic he employed throughout – and showed his all-round quality to close out the opening set.

Djokovic had only lost from a set up at the US Open once on 73 previous occasions, against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final.

Djokovic’s relentless returning continued to draw mistakes out of Medvedev, who was serving poorly and making loose errors, at the start of the second set.

The constant pressure led to another break point for Djokovic in the seventh game, but Medvedev hung on to hold as Djokovic tumbled on to the court after an energy-sapping 31-shot rally.

Something appeared to be troubling Djokovic physically as he held a long game for 4-4 and survived Medvedev’s first break point of the match.

The Russian third seed was sticking longer in the rallies now, pushing Djokovic to his limits and creating a set point at 6-5 which the Serb saved with another serve and volley.

But Djokovic eventually got over the line to ensure a marathon set would be settled by a tie-break.

Medvedev led 5-4 when a stunning 23-shot point eventually went his way despite Djokovic’s doggedness, only for the veteran to lock in again and win the next three points for a two-sets-to-love lead.

It was clear to see Medvedev had needed to level by taking that second set to stand any real chance of victory and the feeling of the inevitable was heightened by the Russian needing treatment on a shoulder injury before the third set.

He offered resistance by putting it back on serve at 3-2, but Djokovic broke again immediately and confidently clinched another famous win.

How Djokovic celebrated historic number 24

After shaking hands with his opponent, Djokovic sobbed as he knelt on the court before picking out his daughter Tara from the crowd.

Further tears followed as he went to celebrate with his nearest and dearest, which included parents Srdjan and Dijana, wife Jelena, son Stefan – and Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey.

Addressing his family, Djokovic thanked them for all their “sacrifices” when he was a child growing up in war-torn Serbia in the 1990s.

“The odds were pretty much against me and my family. It was not accessible, not affordable, but I fell in love with tennis,” he said.

“No-one in my family played tennis but [there was] incredible resilience and belief from my family.

“My wife, my kids, my team, this is your trophy as much as it is mine.”

Djokovic also pulled on a T-shirt which paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his friend who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2020 and wore 24 in his playing days.

“Kobe was a close friend, we chatted a lot about the winners’ mentality when I was struggling with injury and trying to work my way back to the top.

“He was one of the people I relied on the most, he was always there for support in the most friendly way.

“His passing hurt me deeply and 24 is the jersey he wore at Lakers so I thought it would be nice to acknowledge him.”

The Serb, 36, is again within reach of Margaret Court’s all-time record, two months after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon.

“I understand every time in a Grand Slam final, it’s another shot for history,” Djokovic said.

“I’m aware of it, and of course I’m very proud of it,” he added.

“But I don’t have much time, nor do I allow myself to reflect on these things or think about the history too much.

“When I did that in the past, like the 2021 final here, I was maybe overwhelmed with the occasion and the opportunity, and I underperformed.

“I don’t want this to happen again. I’ll try to just focus on what needs to be done and tactically prepare myself for that match.”

Third seed Medvedev overcame Alcaraz in four sets to set up a repeat of the final he won in straight sets two years ago in New York.

On that occasion, the Russian’s 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory denied Djokovic a calendar Grand Slam – where a player wins all four majors in the same year.

While that feat is not on the line for three-time champion Djokovic, in what will be his 36th Grand Slam final on Sunday, Medvedev will once again aim to deny his rival a historic achievement.

Medvedev, 27, is through to his fifth Slam final – and third in New York – with his triumph in 2021 representing his only major title to date.

“I think the only way I can use [the 2021 final] is thinking that Novak, when he loses, he’s never the same after. He’s different. It’s just a different mentality,” Medvedev said.

“That’s why he has 23 Grand Slams, many Masters 1000s [titles] and weeks at number one,” he added.

“So I have to use it knowing that he’s going to be 10 times better than he was that day, and if I want to still beat him, I have to be 10 times better than I was that day. That’s what I’m going to try to do.

“Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”

Djokovic, whose 23 Grand Slams leave him one ahead of Rafael Nadal for overall titles in the men’s game, won the Australian Open and French Open this year before his Wimbledon final defeat by Alcaraz in July.

Guaranteed to return to world number one on Monday, it is the third time the Serb has reached the final at all four Slams in the same season.

He also managed that in 2015, losing only the French Open final to Stan Wawrinka, and 2021, when Medvedev stopped him at the final hurdle at Flushing Meadows.

“I’m obviously over the moon with the results so far in Grand Slams,” Djokovic said.

“Playing in all four finals of all four Slams in a season is amazing. It’s the highest achievement I can think about when I start the season.

“That’s what I dream about, that’s what I really wanted. That’s where I want to be, in this kind of position.

“There is another match left, so of course this conversation will be even better if I win the title. But whatever happens, I’m extremely proud and content with what I have achieved this year.”

Djokovic beat American Ben Shelton in straight sets in the semi-finals, ending home hopes in the men’s draw and mimicking the 20-year-old’s picking-up-a-phone celebration – which Shelton said represented him being “dialled in” – after clinching a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) win.

He has won five of his six matches in straight sets at this tournament, but he had to fight back from two sets down against compatriot Laslo Djere in the third round.

Djokovic leads the head-to-head with Medvedev 9-5 but they have one win apiece on hard courts in 2023, with Medvedev prevailing 6-4 6-4 in Dubai in March after Djokovic won 6-3 6-4 in Adelaide.

The winner of Sunday’s men’s singles final, which takes place after the women’s doubles final (not before 21:00 BST), will earn $3m (£2.4m).

The Spanish top seed lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 3-6 6-3 to Medvedev, ensuring there will be no repeat of the Wimbledon final between Alcaraz and Djokovic.

Djokovic swatted aside young American Ben Shelton to move within one more win of a record-equalling 24th major title.

The Serb, 36, won 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to close in on Margaret Court’s tally.

Alcaraz, 20, prevented Djokovic levelling Court when they met at the All England Club in July and Russian third seed Medvedev, who won his sole major at Flushing Meadows two years ago, could do the same on Sunday.

Medvedev regained his composure in a tense finish to serve out victory, taking a fourth match point to win a captivating contest which left most of the 24,000 crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium on their feet.

Djokovic lost to Medvedev in the 2021 final and was not allowed to enter the United States for last year’s tournament because he was unvaccinated against Covid-19.

However, he has now has reached a 10th US Open final on his return and will aim for a fourth triumph on Sunday.

Djokovic reacted by mimicking Shelton’s celebration of picking up a phone – to indicate he was dialled in – and slamming it down.

“These are the matches and occasions I thrive on, they inspire me every day to keep working as hard as the young guys,” said Djokovic, who, for the third time in his career, has reached every Grand Slam final in a year.

“I still feel I have something left in the legs and something to give to the sport. I couldn’t be happier.”

Medvedev played ’12 out of 10′ to beat Alcaraz

Going into the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, most people predicted Alcaraz and Djokovic would continue their developing rivalry by meeting once again in a major final.

One man with the outstanding pedigree to stop that happening was Medvedev.

The 27-year-old has proved he can thrive on the North American hard courts, particularly when he dominated the swing in 2019 before losing to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final and two years later when he landed his maiden major title.

Before facing Alcaraz in the last four, the Russian said he needed to play “11 out of 10” to beat the top seed.

And so he did in the opening two sets, sticking in the rallies to draw errors out of Alcaraz and dominating his service games on his way to a commanding lead.

Alcaraz, backed by a lot of Spanish fans in the crowd, clawed a set back as his continual moves forward paid off.

But he was still unable to reach his highest level with Medvedev, rock solid from the baseline and showing sharp anticipation, superb in all facets.

Medvedev saved three break points for a 2-1 lead and took Alcaraz’s serve in a pivotal sixth game lasting more than 13 minutes.

Getting over the line was not a simple task, Medvedev double-faulting twice after missing a match point, before he landed three timely first serves to help secure victory.

“I said I needed to play 11 out of 10 against Carlos. I played 12 out of 10, except from the third set,” said Medvedev, who will contest his third US Open final in five years.

“He is honestly really unbelievable. To beat him you need to be better than yourself and I managed to do it.”

Djokovic teaches another lesson to another youngster

A sign of Djokovic’s greatness has been his ability to dominate much younger opponents on the biggest stages over recent years.

In the past five seasons, Djokovic has lost only eight of the 53 matches he has played against opponents under the age of 23.

At Wimbledon, Alcaraz was only the second player younger than Djokovic – after Medvedev at the 2021 US Open – to beat him in a major final since 2020.

With Djokovic’s technique, mentality and athleticism showing few signs of weakening, Shelton was the latest young pretender to be taught a lesson.

The second seed enforced his quality and experience from the start, serving smartly and returning Shelton’s biggest weapon well before intensifying the pressure.

Djokovic remained utterly calm and controlled to quieten the home crowd, further flattening the mood at the start of the third set.

Shelton made a trip to the locker room in a bid to change the dynamic, but two double faults led to Djokovic breaking in the first game with a superb passing winner.

Winning in straight sets looked a formality for the 23-time major champion until Shelton found his best level of the match to break back for 4-4.

The world number 47 created a set point at 5-4 which Djokovic saved with a pinpoint service winner, before a sloppy game allowed Djokovic to strike for 6-5.

Shelton was not finished yet. He saw Djokovic push a forehand wide on match point and broke back to force a tie-break, only for Djokovic to ramp up the intensity again before taking his second match point.

The third seed appeared to struggle with his breathing but beat his fellow Russian 6-4 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday.

“One player is going to die and you are going to see,” he said into a camera during the match in New York.

Medvedev faces Carlos Alcaraz next after the defending champion beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-2 6-4.

Spain’s Alcaraz, 20, saw off five break points on his way to an efficient victory over the German 12th seed.

Both men’s semi-finals will take place at Flushing Meadows on Friday.

Serb second seed Novak Djokovic, bidding for a record-equalling 24th major title, will face young American Ben Shelton in the first match at 15:00 local time (20:00 BST).

‘It was brutal’

With a heatwave sweeping over New York, the match between Medvedev and Rublev was played under a partially closed roof on the hottest day of the tournament so far, with temperatures rising to about 35C on Wednesday.

Both players looked physically and emotionally drained as Medvedev – who won the 2021 US Open – eventually wrapped up the match after two hours and 48 minutes before comparing the “brutal” conditions with the weather he experienced during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“The only good thing I see in these conditions is that both [players] suffer. It’s tough for both of us,” he said.

Medvedev and Rublev each took lengthy bathroom breaks between sets for a moment of respite from the heat and to change their sweat-drenched clothes.

The pair also hosed themselves down with cold water, sat under ice towels and made the most of the air conditioning units at their seats.

“At the end of the first set I couldn’t see the ball any more. I played with sensations – try to go for it, try to run, try to catch the balls – and he did the same sometimes,” Medvedev added.

“A few moments in the third set he was up a break. I couldn’t wait to go to the cold shower, but the thing about that is when you come out either you can’t move because your body blocks or you feel better.”

Medvedev beats best friend to reach semi-finals

While Medvedev has contested four Grand Slam finals, 25-year-old Rublev – who broke into the world’s top 10 in October 2020 – is still bidding for a first major semi-final.

World number eight Rublev has lost all nine of the Grand Slam quarter-finals he has played.

The Russian pair have been best friends since the age of six and Rublev is godfather to Medvedev’s daughter, with the 2021 champion calling him “family” before their last-eight encounter.

Rublev was a break up early in every set, but Medvedev was able to find a shift in momentum each time despite taking two medical timeouts and using an inhaler as he struggled with his breathing.

The higher-ranked Russian got the key break for 5-4 to serve out the opening set and after being 3-1 down in the second, he won five successive games and left Rublev looking dejected.

With the finish line in sight, and after letting four match points come and go on Rublev’s serve, Medvedev wrapped up the victory on the fifth as his opponent fired a forehand into the net.

“I know he never gives up. The thing is he knows I never [give up] too,” Medvedev, who has dropped just two sets so far, said.

Alcaraz has too much quality for Zverev

Few have predicted anyone but Alcaraz and Djokovic, the two dominant players in the men’s game, to contest Sunday’s final.

Alcaraz won the title last year in Djokovic’s absence, with the Serb not allowed to enter the United States because he was not vaccinated against Covid, which at that time was mandatory for visitors.

Both players, who produced a gripping Wimbledon final which Alcaraz won, are now one more victory from another showdown.

Zverev became the latest challenger to fall against Alcaraz, who was far from his best against the 2020 runner-up but still had enough quality to come through relatively unscathed.

After saving two break points at 3-3 in the first set, Alcaraz took his opponent’s serve in the next game and broke twice more in the second set.

There were question marks over Zverev’s physical state coming into the match, with his previous win against Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner finishing at 01:39 local time in brutally humid conditions.

He is also continuing his comeback from a serious ankle injury which sidelined him for seven months until the start of this season.

Things looked ominous for 26-year-old Zverev when he went off court for treatment on a hamstring injury before the third set, but he recovered sufficiently to create three more break points across the second and fourth games.

However, he could not convert any of them and Alcaraz pounced again.

Going on the attack, Alcaraz hit two superb forehand winners to help him break for 5-4 and served out to reach his third major semi-final of the season.

“I’m feeling really comfortable. I’m showing my best level, feeling strong physically and mentally,” said Alcaraz, who swatted aside Medvedev in the Wimbledon last four in July.

Medvedev, who lifted the title in 2021, took his fourth match point at 01:30 local time to win 6-2 6-2 7-6 (8-6).

The 27-year-old Russian also finished his previous match against Chris O’Connell in the early hours and said finishing so late was “tough”.

“I just want to go to sleep. It’s good we did not finish at 4am,” he said.

“When you go to play at 11pm, it just feels tough. This time I decided not to sleep before and I ate, so I was feeling pretty bad on the court.

“That’s why I was nervous all the match.”
Medvedev will play Alex de Minaur in the fourth round after the Australian 13th seed recorded a straightforward 6-1 6-3 6-2 victory over Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in one hour and 44 minutes.

Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner knocked out former champion Stan Wawrinka in a 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2 win.

Sinner, 22 will play Germany’s Alexander Zverev after the 2020 finalist beat Bulgarian 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov in a 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 6-1 victory.

Russia’s Andrey Rublev also secured his last-16 spot with a 3-6 6-3 6-1 7-5 victory over Arthur Rinderknech of France.

The eighth seed will next face Britain’s Jack Draper, who reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a win over Michael Mmoh.

Draper, 21, is the only remaining Briton in the singles after Cameron Norrie lost to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi and Dan Evans was beaten by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Victories for Sinner and Spanish top seed Alcaraz mean the pair could face each other in the last eight for a rematch of last year’s quarter-final tie – a five-set thriller won by the Spaniard, which set a record for the latest finish at the tournament of 02:50 local time.