Daniil Medvedev secures impressive three-set win to reach US Open fourth round

Then there was one more.

Daniil Medvedev is the last remaining player from one of the most exclusive tennis clubs at this year’s US Open.

The 28-year-old Russian, number 5 in the world rankings, defeated Italian Flavio Cobolli (number 31) in three sets on Saturday evening in the third round at the Arthur Ashe Stadium: 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. He is the only former US Open champion who is still on the men’s team.

Medvedev will now face Portuguese Nuno Borges, who is ranked 34th in the world.

“It was a fun match to play,” Medvedev said. “The crowd was pretty full for such a late hour. I enjoyed it.”

Medvedev won the 2021 US Open by beating legendary Novak Djokovic, last year’s champion, who lost in the third round this year to Australia’s No. 28 Alexei Popyrin.

World number 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who won the US Open in 2022, lost in the second round to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschuld.

“For me, upsets don’t matter that much,” Medvedev said. “That means the conditions are a bit tough, so the favorites may have less margin (for error) against the other guys. I just have to be more careful. If I play good tennis, I can win the whole thing. If I don’t play good, I can lose to anyone.”

In addition to winning the US Open in 2021, Medvedev, who possesses one of the most colorful personalities on the tour, has reached the final of the tournament twice more.

Djokovic took revenge on Medvedev in last year’s final and Rafael Nadal defeated him in the 2019 final. Medvedev also reached the semi-finals in 2020.

He played most of his best tennis at the US Open.

With Saturday’s victory, he improved his all-time US Open record to 32-6, and has now reached the fourth round every year for the past six years.

Medvedev’s serve was dominant: he won 81 percent of his first serves and hit nine aces, compared to two for Cobolli.

Saturday was the first time the two competed against each other.

However, Medvedev has a 2-0 record against Borges as both matches take place this year.

“He’s a very tough opponent,” Medvedev said. “I played him for the first time in the Australian Open, he surprised me with how much power he has. Very aggressive player. Not an easy match.”