The drama-filled, five-hour, five-set men's final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev obviously tops the list of the finest matches at this year's Open. But these are the others, which you may have missed—or may have been drowned out by the Nadal-Medvedev dramafest.
Matteo Berretini defeats Gael Monfils, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6. A pugilist's delight, this bruising five-set quarterfinal was terrifically entertaining, the match of the tournament—until the epic Nadal-Medvedev final, anyway. Both players had opportunities to win in the fifth. But by the tiebreak, the fleet Frenchman was bent over at the waist, huffing and puffing, punch-drunk from all of Berretini's big blows. The Italian survived to make it to his first career slam against Rafael Nadal.
Bianca Andreescu defeats Serena Williams, 6-3, 7-5. Oh Canada! In a title bout brimming with drama, teen sensation Andreescu—playing in her first Slam final—showed off big-moment moxie and a full toolbox of shots, as she slammed the door on Serena's bid for Grand Slam win No. 24. In a fascinating intergenerational battle, the feisty 19-year-old Canadian—who began the year ranked No. 179—raced to a huge lead. When Williams stormed back from a 1-5 deficit in the second set, the stadium erupted and it looked like the teen might crumble. But Andreescu dug deep. She held off both nerves and Williams, the greatest fighter of all time. It was a stunning performance from start to finish, and a jaw-dropping display of spirit, resolve and guts from a steely teenager.
Taylor Townsend defeats Simona Halep, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6. Townsend wins for best Martina Navratilova impersonation. The young American lefty shocked Wimbledon winner Halep, the No. 4 seed, by repeatedly rushing the net. Townsend never relented, coming in an incredible 106 times on the afternoon. Halep was constantly on the defensive, and flummoxed. And she was jettisoned from the US Open in just the second round.
Grigor Dimitrov defeats Roger Federer, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. One night after Novak Djokovic went down to the other Swiss, Stan Wawrinka, a Federer-Nadal final looked to be in the cards for the first time in Flushing. Not so fast, said Dmitrov, the Bulgarian who has aped every part of Federer's game but had yet to conquer his idol in seven tries. The eighth was the charm. The previously slumping Dimitrov, lingering at No. 78 in the world, told his coach Andre Agassi not to come to the US Open and played the match of his life. Dmitrov was aggressive, confident, and used his all-court athleticism to defeat Federer, who by the fourth set began to experience upper-back issues. But take nothing away from Dimitrov, who may have turned his career around.
Coco Gauff defeats Timea Babos, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Teen sensation Gauff came into New York riding a wave of hype, after bursting onto the scene at Wimbledon, where she beat Venus Williams and won three more matches—prompting a rendezvous with her idol, Michelle Obama. The 15-year-old played with uncommon poise and maturity, playing tough tennis before a rollicking night crowd on Armstrong, beating the Hungarian veteran Babos. It was only the second round, but it was a statement: Coco Gauff is here to stay. (She just can't play many tournaments until 2022, when she finally turns 18 and the WTA's age eligibility rules are no longer in effect for her.)
