Daniil Medvedev, the reigning US Open champion from 2021, showcased a dominant performance on Monday, effortlessly dismantling unseeded Nuno Borges in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, 6-3. This decisive victory propelled Medvedev into the tournament’s quarterfinals, highlighting his unwavering dominance on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
As the only former champion remaining in the men’s draw, Medvedev’s fifth seed status solidified his position as a formidable contender. The match unfolded as a one-sided affair, with Borges, competing in his second ever Grand Slam fourth round, failing to find an answer to Medvedev’s relentless power. This stark contrast was particularly evident compared to their previous encounter at the Australian Open, where Borges had managed to secure a set against the Russian. This time, however, Borges succumbed to a relentless barrage of unforced errors, totaling a staggering 51, coupled with 10 double faults.
Medvedev, in a post-match interview, attributed Borges’ struggles to the conditions, particularly the ball’s behavior. He acknowledged the prevalence of double faults among players, suggesting a correlation with the ball’s current state. Nonetheless, Medvedev credited his own improved serving performance, stating it had been instrumental in denying Borges any chance of a comeback.
The opening set was a testament to Medvedev’s dominance, as he utterly overwhelmed Borges, claiming a 6-0 victory with only 11 points surrendered. Borges finally managed to register a point in the second set, earning applause for briefly breaking the Russian’s momentum. However, the set quickly returned to its one-sided nature, with Borges continuing to falter with unforced errors, allowing Medvedev to extend his lead to two sets.
The third set offered a brief glimmer of hope for Borges, as he initially seized the lead. However, a fire alarm interrupted the match, providing Medvedev with a much-needed pause to regroup. Seizing the opportunity, Medvedev regained control, winning five of the next six games to close out the match.
Medvedev’s victory sets up a tantalizing quarterfinal encounter against either the top-seeded Jannik Sinner, who defeated him in the Australian Open final before being bested by Medvedev at Wimbledon, or the American Tommy Paul. Looking ahead, Medvedev expressed a preference to focus on his Wimbledon triumph over Sinner, acknowledging the significant challenge posed by the Italian.
Medvedev remains a force to be reckoned with in the US Open, his powerful game and strategic prowess making him a serious contender for the title.
