Sept. 8: Rafael Nadal celebrates with the championship trophy after beating Daniil Medvedev.
Sept. 8: Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Russia's Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller to win the U.S. Open and his 19th Grand Slam title.
Sept. 8: Rafael Nadal falls to the ground after winning his match against Daniil Medvedev.
Sept. 8: Rafael Nadal gives a thumbs up to Daniil Medvedev, who had forced a fifth set after losing the first two.
Sept. 8: Rafael Nadal celebrates a winner against Daniil Medvedev.
Sept. 8: A trainer works on Daniil Medvedev between games against Rafael Nadal.
Sept. 8: Daniil Medvedev returns a shot to Rafael Nadal.
Sept. 8: Rafael Nadal reacts to a fourth-set miss to Daniil Medvedev.
Daniil Medvedev reacts after scoring a point against Rafael Nadal.
Sept. 8: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits to Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men’s final.
Sept. 8: Daniil Medvedev hits to Rafael Nadal.
Sept. 8: Daniil Medvedev reacts after losing a point to Rafael Nadal,
Sept. 7: Bianca Andreescu, 19, became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title by beating the USA's Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 in the U.S. Open final.
Sept. 7: Bianca Andreescu denied Serena Williams a record-tying 24th Grand Slam victory.
Bianca Andreescu celebrates match point.
Bianca Andreescu greets Serena Williams after the match.
Sept. 7: Serena Williams hits to Bianca Andreescu.
Sept. 7: Bianca Andreescu hits to Serena Williams.
Sept. 6: Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates his straight-sets win against Italy's Matteo Berrettini. Nadal will face Russia's Daniil Medvedev Sunday as he tries to win his fourth U.S. Open title.
Sept. 6: Matteo Berrettini reacts after losing the first set to Rafael Nadal. He had a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak before Nadal rallied.
Sept 6: Rafael Nadal falls running for a return to Matteo Berrettini.
Sept. 6: Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the semifinals. Medvedev won in straight sets.
Sept. 6, 2019: Grigor Dimitrov (right) hits a forehand against Daniil Medvedev.
Sept. 6: Daniil Medvedev hits a backhand against Grigor Dimitrov.
Sept. 5: Canada's Bianca Andreescu hits the ball to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic.
Sept. 5: Bianca Andreescu throws her racket onto the court after losing a point to Belinda Bencic.
Sept. 5: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celerbrates a winner against Canada's Bianca Andreescu.
Sept. 5: Serena Williams looks up after her victory against Elina Svitolina in the semifinal. She will go for her record-tying 24 Grand Slam title on Saturday.
Sept. 5: Serena Williams hits to Elina Svitolina.
Sept. 5: Elina Svitolina hits to Serena Williams in their semifinal match.
Sept. 5: Serena Williams shakes hands after beating Elina Svitolina in straight sets.
Sept. 4: Rafael Nadal hits to Diego Schwartzman in the US Open quarterfinals.
Sept. 4: Diego Schwartzman reacts after a missed shot to Rafael Nadal in a US Open quarterfinal match.
Sept 4: No. 15 seed Bianca Andreescu reacts after winning a point during her three-set win over No. 25 Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals.
Sept. 4: Belgium's Elise Mertens serves to Canada's Bianca Andreescu during their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 4: Italy's Matteo Berrettini collapses to the ground in disbelief after advancing to the semifnals.
Sept. 4: No. 24 seed Matteo Berrettini celebrates after defeating No. 13 seed Gael Monfils in a fifth-set tiebreaker in the quarterfinals.
Sept. 4: Gael Monfils rallies the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the fifth set against Matteo Berrettini.
Sept 4: France's Gael Monfils splashes his face with water during a changeover against Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals.
Sept. 4: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland reacts after winning the first set against Donna Vekic of Croatia in their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 4: Donna Vekic of Croatia hits to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 3: Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov shake hands after their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 3: Roger Federer talks with a trainer prior to taking a medical timeout at the end of the fourth set against Grigor Dmitrov.
Sept. 3: Grigor Dimitrov looks towards the player's box after winning the fourth set against Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: No. 8 seed Serena Williams prepares to serve to No. 18 seed Wang Qiang during her straight-sets win in the quarterfinanls.
Sept. 3: Wang Qiang of China plays a forehand to Serena Williams during their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 3: Serena Williams reaches for a backhand during her quarterfinal match with Wang Qiang of China.
Sept. 3: No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev plays a backhand during his win over No. 23 Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals.
Sept. 3: Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland stretches to hit a forehand to Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their quarterfinal match.
Sept 3: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates her win over Johanna Konta of Great Britain in their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 3: Johanna Konta of the United Kingdom hits to Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 3: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits to Danill Medvedev of Russia.
Sept. 3: Danill Medvedev of Russia hits to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.
Sept. 3: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates a second-set winner against Johanna Konta of the United Kingdom in their quarterfinal match.
Sept. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain chases a shot to hit a forehand around the net post against Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Sept. 2: Gael Monfils of France serves to Pablo Andujar of Spain.
Sept. 2: Diego Schwartzman of Argentina celebrates his victory against Alexander Zverev of Germany.
Sept. 2: Matteo Berrettini of Italy celebrates after winning against Andrey Rublev of Russia.
Sept. 2: Alexander Zverev of Germany hits to Diego Schwartzman of Argentina.
Sept. 2: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland reacts after winning a service break in the first set against Naomi Osaka of Japan.
Sept. 2: Naomi Osaka of Japan hits to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Sept. 2: Diego Schwartzman of Argentina hits to Alexander Zverev of Germany.
Sept. 2: Julia Goerges of Germany celebrates a point against Donna Vekic of Croatia.
Sept. 1: Stan Wawrinka gives a thumbs-up to the crowd after his match vs. Novak Djokovic, who retired in the third set.
Sept. 1: Novak Djokovic rubs his shoulder during his match vs. Stan Wawrinka.
Sept. 1: Serena Williams, the No. 8 seed, waves to the crowd after defeating No. 22 seed Petra Martic in the Round of 16.
Sept. 1: Roger Federer of Switzerland hits to David Goffin of Belgium.
Sept 1: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria celebrates after defeating Alex de Minaur of Australia in the Round of 16.
Sept. 1: No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina stretches to play backhand during her Round of 16 win over No. 10 seed Madison Keys.
Sept. 1: American Madison Keys hits a backhand to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their fourth-round match.
Sept. 1: No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits a forehand against Dominik Koepfer of Germany during their fourth-round match.
Sept. 1: Croatia's Petra Martic serves to Serena Williams during their fourth-round match.
Sept. 1: Serena Williams reacts after rolling her ankle and falling near the net during her fourth-round match against Petra Martic.
Sept. 1: Qiang Wang of China reacts against Ashleigh Barty of Australia in the fourth round of the US Open.
Sept. 1: Johanna Konta of Great Britain serves to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.
Sept 1: Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic hits to Johanna Konta of Great Britain.
Sept 1: Ashleigh Barty of Australia hits to Qiang Wang of China.
Sept. 1: David Goffin of Belgium hits to Roger Federer of Switzerland.
Aug. 31: Defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka consoles Coco Gauff after their third-round match.
Aug. 31: No. 1 Naomi Osaka returns to Coco Gauff during her straight-set win in the third round.
Aug. 31: American Coco Gauff hits to forehand to Japan's Naomi Osaka during their third-round match.
Aug. 31: No. 13 seed Gael Monfils hits a backhand during his marathon five-set win over Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
Aug. 31: Canada's Denis Shapovalov serves against Gael Monfils of France during their third-round match.
Aug. 31: Russia's Andrey Rublev tries to chase down a shot during his third-round upset over No. 28 seed Nick Kyrgios.
Aug. 31: Australia's Nick Kyrgios bites a towel during his third-round match against Russia's Andrey Rublev.
Aug. 31: No. 22 seed Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, celebrates after beating No. 14 seed John Isner in the third round.
Aug. 31: American John Isner serves to Marin Cilic of Croatia during their third-round match.
Aug. 31: No. 15 seed Bianca Andreescu of hits a forehand to No. 19 seed Caroline Wozniacki during her third-round win.
Aug. 31: Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark prepares to serve to Bianca Andreescu of Canada during their third-round match.
Aug. 31: No. 6 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates after dispatching Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia in the third round.
Aug. 31: No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Hyeon Chung of Korea in the third round.
Aug. 31: American Taylor Townsend celebrates after her straight-set win over Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the third round.
Aug. 31: American Kristie Ahn rushes the net to play a backhand volley during her third-round win over Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia.
Aug. 31: Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko returns a shot against American Kristie Ahn during their third-round match.
Aug. 31: No. 26 seed Julia Goerges of Germany waves to the crowd after upsetting No. 7 seed Kiki Bertens in the third round.
Aug. 31: Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands plays a backhand volley to Julia Goerges of Germany during their third-round match.
Aug. 30: Russia's Daniil Medvedev, who was booed by fans for a tantrum and an obscene gesture, invites the crowd's reaction after he defeated Spain's Feliciano Lopez.
Aug. 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point against Denis Kudla of the United States. Djokovic, who was bothered by a shoulder issue in his previous match, won in straight sets and said he was mostly pain-free.
Aug. 30: Madison Keys wasn't 100 percent in her match against Sofia Kenin and had to take a medical timeout, but she won in straight sets.
Aug. 30: Serena Williams of the USA hits to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.
Aug. 30: Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic serves against the USA's Serena Williams.
Aug. 30: Roger Federer of Switzerland hits to Daniel Evans of Great Britain.
Aug. 30: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland gets up off the court after falling while attempting to return a shot from Paolo Lorenzi of Italy.
Aug. 30: Ashleigh Barty of Australia salutes the crowd after her victory against Maria Sakkari of Greece.
Aug. 29: American Coco Gauff celebrates her three-set victory against Hungary's Timea Babos.
Aug. 29: Timea Babos reacts after losing a point to Coco Gauff.
Aug. 29: Coco Gauff falls to the court while chasing a shot from Timea Babos.
Aug. 29: Caroline Wozniacki, left, of Denmark embraces American Danielle Collins after winning their second-round match.
Aug. 29: American Taylor Townsend celebrates her upset of No. 4 seed Simona Halep of Romania.
Aug. 29: Simona Halep of Romania returns a shot against American Taylor Townsend.
Aug. 29: Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates his victory against Antoine Hoang.
Aug. 29: John Isner of the United States hits to Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany.
Aug. 29: Naomi Osaka of Japan smiles after defeating Magda Linette of Poland.
Aug. 29: Magda Linette of Poland serves against Naomi Osaka of Japan.
Aug. 29: Frances Tiafoe of the USA hits to Alexander Zverev of Germany.
Aug. 29: Alexander Zverev of Germany serves to Frances Tiafoe of the USA.
Aug. 29: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic hits to Andrea Petkovic of Germany.
Aug. 29: Ana Bogdan of Romania reacts against Petra Martic of Croatia.
Aug. 29: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland returns a shot against Jeremy Chardy of France.
Aug. 29: Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei hits a forehand against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.
Aug. 29: Andrea Petkovic of Germany serves to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.
Aug. 29: Qiang Wang of China serves against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium.
Aug. 29: Daniel Evans of Great Britain serves against Lucas Pouille of France.
Aug. 29: Lucas Pouille of France returns a shot against Daniel Evans of Great Britain.
Aug. 29: Kristina Mladenovic of France serves against Fiona Ferro of France.
Aug. 29: Fiona Ferro of France returns a shot against Kristina Mladenovic of France .
Aug. 28: Serena Williams reacts after missing a shot during her second-round match against American Caty McNally. Williams rallied to beat McNally in three sets.
Aug. 28: Caty McNally, a 17-year-old from Cincinnati, serves to Serena Williams during their second-round match.
Aug. 28: American Reilly Opelka hits a forehand to Germany's Dominik Koepfer during their second-round match.
Aug. 28: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic gestures to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium after beating Juan Ignacio Londero in the second round.
Aug. 28: Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero plays a forehand to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their second-round match.
Aug. 28: An trainer massages Novak Djokovic's ailing shoulder during his second-round match against Juan Ignacio Londero.
Aug. 28: American Lauren Davis kicks the ball in frustration after an error during her second-round match against No. 2 seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia.
Aug. 28: No. 2 seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia plays a backhand to American Lauren Davis during their second-round match.
Aug. 28: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine shakes hands with Venus Williams after defeating the American in straight sets.
Aug. 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland serves against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Aug. 28: Damir Dzumhur is checked by a trainer during his match against Roger Federer.
Aug. 28: Madison Keys of the United States hits the ball to Lin Zhu of China.
Aug. 28: Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic hits to Mariam Bolkvadze of Georgia.
Aug. 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to John Millman of Australia.
Aug. 28: Mariam Bolkvadze of Georgia hits to Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic.
Aug. 28: Water is cleared off Court 6 during a rain delay in the second round of the U.S. Open.
Aug. 28: Kei Nishikori of Japan hits to Bradley Klahn of the United States.
Aug. 28: Arthur Ashe Stadium is reflected in a rain puddle before play begins on Day 3 of the U.S. Open.
Aug. 27: Nick Kyrgios stands on the court between points against Steve Johnson in the first round.
Aug. 27: Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after match point against Victoria Azarenka in the first round.
Aug. 27: Anna Kalinskaya shakes hands with Sloane Stephens after a first round victory.
Aug. 27: American Coco Gauff celebrates after rallying to beat Russia's Anastasia Potapova in three sets.
Aug. 27: No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal prepares to serve to John Millman of Australia during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, and Australia's John Millman pose for a photo before their first-round match in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Aug. 27: No. 10 seed and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens hits a backhand return against Russia's Anna Kalinskaya during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: Anna Kalinskaya of Russia plays a forehand to American Sloane Stephens during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: American John Isner serves against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain during his first-round win.
Aug. 27: No. 1 seed Naomi Osaka of Japan hits to Anna Blinkova of Russia during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: American Coco Gauff serves against Anastasia Potapova of Russia during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: In an all-Canada matchup in the first round, Denis Shapovalov reacts after winning a point against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Aug. 27: In an all-Canada matchup in the first round, Felix Auger-Aliassime returns a shot against Denis Shapovalov.
Aug. 27: Italy's Thomas Fabbiano celebrates after upsetting No. 4 seed Dominic Thiem of Austria in the first round.
Aug. 27: Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki plays a forehand shot against Yafan Wang of China in their first-round match.
Aug. 27: American Tennys Sandgren plays a backhand against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during his five-set win in the first round.
Aug. 27: Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after hitting an error against Radu Albot of Moldova during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: American Nicole Gibbs, who had cancer surgery earlier this year, waives to the crowd following her three-set match against Romania's Simona Halep.
Aug. 27: Ugo Humbert of France changes his shirt during a changeover in his first-round match against Marius Copil of Romania.
Aug. 27: American Danielle Collins reacts after winning a point against Polona Hercog during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: Andrey Rublev of Russia gestures to the crowd after defeating No. 8 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the first round.
Aug .27: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France serves to American Tennys Sandgren during their first-round match.
Aug. 27: Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic hits to Denisa Allertova of Czech Republic.
Aug. 27: Anna Blinkova of Russia hits to Naomi Osaka of Japan.
Aug. 27: Garbine Muguruza of Spain returns a shot against Alison Riske of the United States.
Aug. 27: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts after winning a point against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the first round.
Aug. 27: Gilles Simon of France returns a shot against Bjorn Fratangelo of the United States.
Aug. 27: Alize Cornet of France returns a shot against Jessica Pegula of the United States.
Aug. 27: Alison Riske of the United States returns a shot against Garbine Muguruza of Spain.
Aug. 27: Federico Delbonis of Argentina returns a shot against Alexei Popyrin of Australia.
Aug. 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan warms up before playing Anna Blinkova of Russia.
Aug. 27: Jessica Pegula of the United States returns a shot against Alize Cornet of France.
Aug. 26: Roger Federer waves to the crowd after his win over Sumit Nagal in the first round.
Aug. 26: Madison Keys hits a forehand against Misaki Doi in the first round.
Aug. 26: Stan Wawrinka celebrates after match point against Jannik Sinner in the first round.
Aug. 26: Roger Federer serves to Sumit Nagal in the first round.
Aug. 26: In a battle of former No. 1s, Serena Williams shakes hands with Maria Sharapova after cruising past the Russian in the first round.
Aug. 26: Serena Williams fires a shot against Maria Sharapova during their first-round match.
Aug. 26: Maria Sharapova stretches to hit a backhand during her first-round match against Serena Williams.
Aug. 26: Serena Williams walks past tennis icon Billie Jean King as she enters Arthur Ashe Stadium to play Maria Sharapova.
Aug. 26: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a backhand during his first-round match against Jannik Sinner of Italy.
Aug. 26: American CoCo Vandeweghe falls on the court before receiving medical attention to her ankle during her first-round match against Sofia Kenin.
Aug. 26: American Sofia Kenin plays a shot against fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe in the first round.
Aug. 26: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic stretches for a backhand during his first-round victory over Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain.
Aug. 26: Venus Williams celebrates after crusing past Saisai Zheng of China in the first round.
Aug. 26: Jeremy Chardy of France serves against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz during their first-round match.
Aug. 26: Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero celebrates after defeating American Sam Querrey in the first round.
Aug. 26: Russia's Daniil Medvedev receives treatment from an ATP trainer during his first-round match.
Aug. 26: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine plays a forehand to Whitney Osuigwe of the United States during their first-round match.
Aug. 26: American Reilly Opelka chases down a shot during his first-round match against Fabio Fognini of Italy.
Aug. 26: Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain prepares to serve to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Aug. 26: American Sam Querrey reacts after losing a point against Juan Ignacio Londero of Argentina in the first round.
Aug. 26: Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic reacts after winning the first set against Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic in the first round of the U.S. Open.
Aug. 26: Angelique Kerber of Germany hits to Kristina Mladenovic of France.
Aug. 26: Tereza Martincova, of the Czech Republic, reacts during a match against Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic.
Aug. 26: Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan hits to Ashleigh Barty of Australia.
Aug. 26: Kei Nishikori of Japan hits to Marco Trungelliti of Argentina.
Aug. 26: Johanna Konta of Great Britain returns a shot against Daria Kasatkina of Russia.
Aug. 26: Eugenie Bouchard of Canada returns the ball to Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia.
Aug. 26: Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic serves against Jenson Brooksby of the United States.
Aug. 26: Ashleigh Barty of Australia hits to Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.
Aug. 26: Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia returns a shot against Eugenie Bouchard of Canada.
Aug. 26: Jenson Brooksby of the United States serves against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic.
Aug. 26: Daria Kasatkina of Russia returns a shot against Johanna Konta of Great Britain.
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. -- Near the end of five of the greatest hours the US Open has ever had Sunday night, the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium was so loud that you would’ve thought it was a bullfight. Almost 24,000 people chanted “Rafa, Rafa,” and the building felt as if it were quaking and it wasn’t just because 33-year-old Rafael Nadal had won his fourth Open and his 19th Grand Slam title, drawing within one of Roger Federer.
It was the way the 341 points in this 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 men’s final played out. It was the way Nadal’s spectacular opponent, Daniil Medvedev, came back from two sets and a break down, when he sure looked as if he was about to get on the next plane back to Moscow. Even he thought so.
“(I was thinking), ‘Okay, in 20 minutes I have to give a speech. What do I say?' ” Medvedev said.
Maybe most of all, it was the way Nadal plays and comports himself, and the way he has match after match, year after year, even after almost two decades.
Nadal never stops fighting, and never seems to fail to say and do the right thing. He never gives his opponents anything but massive respect, nor does he think being one of the greatest athletes of his time in any sport gives him the license to strut. When his semifinal opponent, Matteo Berrettini, called him the greatest fighter in the history of tennis and he was asked about it, Nadal said, “I don't like to talk much about myself, because it's not a beautiful thing.”
Nadal is a bundle of fast-twitch compulsions. He is also compulsively watchable, because he plays every point as if he might never get to hold a tennis racquet again. It is almost comical the way he keeps to his routine, especially when he serves, from the tucking of his hair behind his ear to the picking at the seat of his shorts to the bounce-bounce-bounce of the ball, leaving him ever in danger of a time violation (which he got three of Sunday night.)
All of this might get old if Nadal didn’t have this gift of pouring every fiber of his being into every point. His whole universe revolves around the next point, and the passion and commitment he has to the moment is almost palpable, even when things are going all wrong.
On Saturday night, Bianca Andreescu of Canada showed staggering courage and self-belief in her shocking victory over a 23-time champion, Serena Williams, in her major final debut. The 23-year-old Medvedev, a breakout star in men’s tennis, showed nothing less in his own major final debut Sunday night. You never know how athletes are going to respond in their first turn in the white-hot glare of a championship event. Medvedev, like Andreescu, was just fine with it.
For a man who had never won a five-set match in his life, you never would’ve known it. He broke Nadal twice in the third, and when he finished that set off, he did it again, in the fourth, hammering a backhand return winner down the line on set point to square the match at two sets.
Throughout the fortnight, Nadal had never been in any sort of trouble. Now he was in trouble. Medvedev suddenly was serving and volleying, dictating play, and outhitting Nadal from the baseline.
“The nerves were so high,” Nadal said.
Then Medvedev had a break point in the second game of the fifth, and when chair umpire Ali Nili took a first serve away from Nadal for a time violation, the crowd jeered and Nadal went to the service line, tucked, picked and bounced, and then won the point and held serve.
He pumped his fist and the bullfight noise rocked the place. He went up a break, then another, for 5-2, and served for the match twice.
Medevev broke back and held for 5-4, and had a break point to get to 5-5 at 30-40 in the 10th game. Now the crowd chanted his name, too.
Medvedev was completely heroic, and Nadal was Nadal, finding a way to re-set, to win a point when everything is running away from him. He smashed a deep forehand that forced a long Medvedev lob.
A few points later, Medvedev knocked a forehand return long on championship point, and Nadal splayed out on the court, flat on his back. Soon they were showing a video retrospective of all his titles, and tears came hard.
“Daniil created this moment, too,” Nadal said. “The way that he fighted, the way that he played, is a champion way. Just well done for him. I really believe that he will have many more chances.”
On the night he closed within one major title of Federer, Nadal naturally was asked about becoming the sport’s all-time winner. He said the right thing, and the true thing. He always does.
“I would love to be the one who win more, but I am not thinking and I not going to practice every day or not playing tennis for it. I am playing tennis because I love to play tennis. I play to be happy.”
Sept. 8: Actress Uma Thurman watches the men's final with her son, Levon.
Sept. 8: Skier Lindsey Vonn and New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban watch the men's final.
Sept. 8: Daria Medvedev watches her husband, Daniil Medvedev, as he takes on Rafael Nadal.
Sept. 8: Xisca Perello watches her fiance Rafael Nadal play against Daniil Medvedev.
Sept. 8: Tennis champion Virginia Wade watches the men's final.
Sept. 8: Music producer Bob Sinclar watches the men's final.
Sept. 7: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, greets Alexis Ohanian as she arrives in Serena Williams' box for the women's final.
Sept. 7: Spike Lee watch the U.S. Open women's final.
Sept. 7: Dr. Mehmet Oz watches the women's final.
Sept. 6: Musicians Nick Jonas (left) and Joe Jonas watch the Rafael Nadal-Matteo Berrettini men's semifinal.
Sept. 6: Former news anchor Tom Brokaw watches the men's semifinal.
Sept. 6: Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand and his wife Katrina watch in the stands during the match between Rafael Nadal and Matteo Berrettini.
Sept. 6: Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg arrive for the men's semifinals.
Sept. 6: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg watches the men's semifinals.
Sept. 5: Actors Jason Biggs, left, and Justin Bartha attend Day 11 matches.
Sept. 5: Actress Audra McDonald attends the semifinals.
Sept. 5: Fashion designer Vera Wang arrives for the semifinals of the U.S. Open.
Sept. 5: Talk-show host Andy Cohen attends the semifinal between Serena Williams and Elina Svitolina.
Sept. 5: Queen Latifah attends the Serena Williams-Elina Svitolina semifinal.
Sept. 4: NHL legend Wayne Gretzky attends men's and women's quarterfinal matches at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Sept. 4: Retired NFL wide receiver Victor Cruz attends men's and women's quarterfinal matches during the night session.
Sept. 4: Soccer player Gerard Pique, left, and singer Shakira attend the quarterfinals.
Sept. 4: British actress and screenwriter Emily Mortimer arrives at The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Sept. 4: New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley attends men's and women's quarterfinal matches during the night session.
Sept. 4: Tennis legend Billie Jean King on the grounds of the complex that is named in her honor -- The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Sept. 4: Actor and singer Ben Vereen attends the quarterfinals.
Sept. 3: Queen Latifah, center, gestures after a quarterfinal match between Serena Williams and Qiang Wang of China.
Sept. 3: Tiger Woods returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the second consecutive day, taking in night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Singer/actress Vanessa Williams, right, watches night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Amy Schumer attends night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Katie Couric, left, and John Molner attend the night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Retired tennis player Boris Becker, a six-time major champion, watches Roger Federer play Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals.
Sept. 3: Martha Stewart enjoys the Mercedes-Benz VIP Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium during night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Actor Justin Theroux, left, and hairdresser, podcaster, and television personality Jonathan Van Ness enjoy The Mercedes-Benz VIP Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sept. 3: Actor Penn Badgley attends quarterfinal matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Venus Williams watch the quarterfinal match between Serena Williams and Qiang Wang of China.
Sept. 3: Tennis legend Rod Laver attends the men's quarterfinal match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.
Sept. 3: British actress and radio presenter Jameela Jamil enjoys the Mercedes-Benz VIP Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium during night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, watches night session matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 3: Fashion designer Vera Wang applauds during the quarterfinal match between Serena Williams and Qiang Wang.
Sept. 3: Record executive Clive Davis attends quarterfinal matches featuring Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Sept. 2: Golfer Tiger Woods watches the match between Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic.
Sept. 2: Actor Alec Baldwin attends the match between Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic.
Sept. 1: Actress Anna Kendrick, right, takes a photo with a friend as they watch Serena Williams' Round of 16 match.
Sept 1: Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian, far left, waits for a match to begin with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, far right.
Aug. 30: Former NBA player Kobe Bryant, right, watches the coin toss as Roger Federer gets ready to play against Daniel Evans of Great Britain.
Aug. 30: Actress Rebel Wilson attends the third round.
Aug. 30: Magazine editor Anna Wintour attends the third round.
Aug. 29: Kobe Bryant watches a second-round match between Naomi Osaka and Magda Linette.
Aug 29: Colin Kaepernick applauds Naomi Osaka during her second-round match against Magda Linette.
Aug. 28.: Queen Latifah, right, attends the night session featuring matches with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and former No. 1 Serena Williams.
Aug. 26: Actor Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria watch Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova in the first round.
Aug. 26: Boxer Mike Tyson attends the Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova match with his wife, Lakiha Spicer.
Aug. 26: Journalist Katie Couric and husband John Molner attend the first-round match between Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.
Aug. 26: Actor/playwright Chazz Palminteri attends the Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova match.
Aug. 26: Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, right, watches Serena Williams play Maria Sharapova.
Aug. 26: Former tennis player Rod Laver attends the Maria Sharapova-Serena Williams match.
Rafael Nadal, with 18 Grand Slams, can move within one of Roger Federer with a win in Sunday's championship. 
Rafael Nadal, with 18 Grand Slams, can move within one of Roger Federer with a win in Sunday's championship.
Rafael Nadal held off a strong comeback bid to win his 19th Grand Slam title by edging Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in a thrilling U.S. Open final that lasted nearly five hours Sunday. 
The Spaniard won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 and is the prohibitie favorite to win his fourth US Open and 19th Grand Slam. 
All top 10-ranked players, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, have committed to play in the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia in January. It said Saturday that the top 18-ranked countries and Australia, as the host-country wild card, will be among the qualifiers for the tournament to be held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney from Jan. 3-12. Serbia leads the current rankings, with Spain second, Switzerland third and Russia fourth. The ATP said the top two players for each country have committed to play, subject to change based on the ATP Rankings at the second entry deadline on Nov. 
© Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Daniil Medvedev (right) on going down a break in the third set: “(I was thinking), ‘Okay, in 20 minutes I have to give a speech. What do I say?' ” 
Arnold Palmer would have turned 90 today, but the massive footprint he left behind and the example he set lives on 3 years after his passing 
See how the 32-year-old actress broke the exciting news! 
Nadal drills Berrettini, will play for 4th US Open... 
19 Slams: Nadal stops Medvedev comeback bid to win US... 
US Open: Rafael Nadal takes out Diego Schwartzman, advances to... 
Djokovic, Nadal, Federer set for ATP Cup in Australia in... 
Arnold Palmer at 90: The King is still a big presence in golf and always will... 
Rachel Bloom Reveals She’s Pregnant Following First-Ever Emmy... 
LG's G8X ThinQ is its dual screen bid to win over the high-end phone... 
LG's G8X ThinQ is its bid to win over the high-end phone market (and ASMR... 
