You know that adage about time flying when you get older? Trust me, that’s more than some old wives’ tale.
I can’t believe that we are just two weeks away from the US Open. It feels like just yesterday that Alcaraz was facing off against Djokovic in that Melbourne final. It remains unclear whether the charismatic Spaniard will be fit to defend his title (let’s hope so, for entertainment’s sake). In anticipation of the general New York insanity, I thought I would compile a list of my personal favourite US Open men’s finals of the 21st century.
5. 2002: Pete Sampras bt Andre Agassi (6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4)
Who would have guessed that this would have been Pete Sampras’ final professional outing? The big-serving American followed the Eric Cantona model of retirement, going out on top following a glorious victory over longtime archnemesis Andre Agassi (who can forget that cringe-inducing charity flare-up between the two in 2010?). Sampras dominated the first two sets, suffocating Agassi with his humongous serve and pinpoint volleying. Agassi fought back in typically pugnacious fashion, using that cultivated baseline game to wrestle away the 3rd. But Sampras recovered his serving mojo in the decider, fending off Agassi’s best efforts to win a record extending 14th Grand Slam title. He then went out like a low-key G, not playing for a year before announcing his retirement in August 2003.
4. 2012: Andy Murray bt Novak Djokovic (7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2)
This windswept match was as gruelling as it was spectacular to watch, featuring a 54-shot rally that dwarfed every other exchange in the tournament. The match would last four hours and 54 minutes, tying the 1988 clash between Lendl and Willander as longest US Open final in history. The first set was an 87-minute doozy, with Murray prevailing 12-10 in the tiebreak. The Scot took the 2nd set and looked well placed to win his first Grand Slam title (he had lost in four previous finals). But the Serbian ironman fought back like only he can do, easily claiming the 3rd and 4th sets. It looked as if Andy Murray’s quest for a maiden slam was in tatters. But the somewhat grumpy Scot summoned some deep internal resolve, fighting back to claim the 5th set and end the bridesmaid chatter. It was also nice to end the whole Fred Perry, will-he-wont-he conversation (Murray was the first British man to win a slam since Fred Perry back in 1936).
3. 2020: Dominic Thiem bt Alex Zverev (2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6)
Sure, this selection does come with glaring Covid-induced caveats. Several top stars- including defending champ Rafa Nadal- chose not to compete due to travel restrictions. Also, this was one of those surreal sporting events that featured no fans. I would argue that very few sporting events are as defined by their fans as much as the US Open is. Still, Thiem and Zverev served up a match for the ages (it was almost like an incredible silent film). Zverev steamrolled through the first two sets before clay-court specialist Thiem found his rhythm and started to control the baseline exchanges. He levelled matters at 2-2, but Zverev had his chance serving for the match at 5-3 in the decider. The German had one of his legendary Grand Slam brain-freezes, blowing his chance before going down in a tight 5th set tiebreak to a visibly ailing Thiem.
2. 2009: Juan Martin del Potro bt Roger Federer (3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2)
Many people point towards Federer’s 2008 Wimbledon defeat to Nadal as the turning point in his era of dominance. And while it was significant, Federer would still win three of the next four slams after that heartbreaking defeat. He would only win one of his next ten following this defeat to mega-hitting Argentine Juan Martin del Potro. Federer, chasing a 5th straight US Open crown, was obviously a huge favourite against the perennially injured del Potro. And he seemed to be in utter control in the early stages, easily winning the first set before going up by a break in the 2nd. But del Potro just wouldn’t go away, using his Mjolnir-like forehand to stay within touching distance of the Swiss legend. For all his courtcraft and guile, Federer fell into the trap of trying to take on del Potro’s forehand ‘mano a mano’. It proved a massive mistake as the Argentine overwhelmed the Swiss genius in that final set. It was quite galling to see Federer capitulate in such fashion against a mere mortal (ie, not Nadal or Djokovic).
1. 2019: Rafael Nadal bt Daniil Medvedev (7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4)
This five-set epic proved two things: 33-year-old Rafa Nadal still had plenty of gas in the tank and young Russian Daniil Medvedev was a Grand Slam force to be reckoned with. This was a pure slugfest, as both players pushed the court to its extremities with their deep positioning. Nadal controlled the early stages, forcing the Russian even further back with that heavy topspin while introducing plenty of variety. But the Russian adjusted his game in the middle sets, attacking the net more often to disrupt Nadal’s baseline rhythm. He successfully managed to turn the tide of fan sentiment, going from de facto villain (he was his usual surly self during the early stages of the tournament) to a heroic warrior. Nadal had to dig deep, fighting cramp to somehow kill Medvedev’s momentum and win his 19th Grand Slam title.
