{"id":1314405,"date":"2019-09-08T22:36:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T04:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/19-slams-nadal-stops-medvedev-comeback-bid-to-win-us-open\/"},"modified":"2019-09-08T22:36:00","modified_gmt":"2019-09-09T04:36:00","slug":"19-slams-nadal-stops-medvedev-comeback-bid-to-win-us-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/19-slams-nadal-stops-medvedev-comeback-bid-to-win-us-open\/","title":{"rendered":"19 Slams: Nadal stops Medvedev comeback bid to win US Open"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.943125\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-987322-618\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, poses with the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, poses with the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, poses with the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR110666 AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR110666 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, congratulates Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after Nadal won the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, congratulates Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after Nadal won the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-2.jpg\" alt=\"Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, congratulates Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after Nadal won the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, wipes tears from his eyes after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, wipes tears from his eyes after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-3.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, wipes tears from his eyes after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-4.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR110666 AP | Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, reacts whiles answering questions after losing to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, in the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, reacts whiles answering questions after losing to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, in the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR110666 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-4.jpg\" alt=\"Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, reacts whiles answering questions after losing to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, in the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-5.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-6.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-6.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-7.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR171690 AP | Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Sarah Stier)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Sarah Stier)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR171690 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-7.jpg\" alt=\"Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Sarah Stier)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-8-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-8.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR171643 AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns a shot to Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns a shot to Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR171643 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-8.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns a shot to Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-9-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-9.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR171643 AP | Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR171643 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-9.jpg\" alt=\"Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-10-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-10.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after winning a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after winning a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-10.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after winning a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-11-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-11.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR171690 AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Sarah Stier)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Sarah Stier)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR171690 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-11.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Sarah Stier)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-12-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-12.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-12.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-13-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-13.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | FR110666 AP | Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><strong>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)<\/strong><br \/>AP | FR110666 AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/US_Open_Tennis_21790-0848f-13.jpg\" alt=\"Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/19-slams-nadal-stops-medvedev-comeback-bid-to-win-us-open\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/19-slams-nadal-stops-medvedev-comeback-bid-to-win-us-open\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">NEW YORK \u2014 Rafael Nadal\u2019s 19th Grand Slam trophy went from inevitable to suddenly in doubt in a thrill-a-minute U.S. Open final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">What had all the makings of a casual crowning morphed into a grueling contest thanks to Nadal\u2019s opponent, Daniil Medvedev, a man a decade younger and appearing in his first major title match. Down by two sets and a break, Medvedev shifted styles, upped his level against a rattled Nadal \u2014 and even received an unexpected boost from the Arthur Ashe Stadium spectators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Truly tested for the only time in the tournament, the No. 2-seeded Nadal managed to stop Medvedev\u2019s surge Sunday and hold off his historic comeback bid, pulling out a 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 victory in 4 hours, 50 minutes of highlight-worthy action and Broadway-worthy drama to collect his fourth championship at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cOne of the most emotional nights of my tennis career,\u201d said Nadal, who covered his face with his hands while crying when arena video boards showed clips from each of his Slam triumphs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe last three hours of the match have been very, very intense, no?\u201d Nadal said. \u201cVery tough mentally and physically, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Now at 19 majors \u2014 a total Medvedev called \u201coutrageous\u201d \u2014 Nadal is merely one away from rival Roger Federer\u2019s record for men.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But this one did not come easily. Not at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Sure seemed it might, with Nadal ahead by two sets and a break in the third at 3-2, playing like \u201ca beast out there,\u201d as the No. 5-seeded Medvedev put it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">At that moment, Medvedev would joke afterward, this is where his thoughts were: \u201cOK, in 20 minutes I have to give a speech. What do I say?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But the 23-year-old from Russia did not go gently into the night. He broke right back to 3-all, then again to claim that set and yet again to end the fourth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe nerves were so high,\u201d Nadal said. \u201cA crazy match.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Not since 1949 has anyone won a U.S. Open final after trailing by two sets to none. Never before had Medvedev won a five-set match. Only once before had Nadal lost a Grand Slam match after taking the opening two sets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">And yet the tension was real.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">At the very end \u2014 or what appeared to be the very end \u2014 Nadal couldn\u2019t close it out. After breaking to lead 3-2 in the fifth, in a game Medvedev led 40-love before flubbing an easy forehand, Nadal broke again and served for the championship at 5-2.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The way this back-and-forth tale was spun, though, it probably was inevitable that Medvedev would break there. And so he did, because Nadal double-faulted on break point after he was docked a serve for his third time violation of the evening, which elicited loud boos from folks in the stands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In the next game, Nadal held a pair of match points, but Medvedev, of course, avoided defeat yet another time, erasing one of those with a backhand winner, the other with a service winner, earning a standing ovation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">With Nadal\u2019s backers screaming, \u201cClose it out!\u201d at the ensuing changeover, he once more stepped to the baseline to try to serve it out, this time at 5-4. Naturally, he was forced to deal with another heart-in-throat break point, but came up with a stinging forehand that drew a long forehand from Medvedev.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Two points later, it was over, and the indefatigable Nadal was splayed on his back on the court, as he\u2019s been so often at the conclusion of energy-sapping, will-challenging, high-stakes matches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWhat he went through during the match and still being able to survive and finish the match that way, it\u2019s out of this world,\u201d said one of Nadal\u2019s coaches, Carlos Moya. \u201cYou have to be, mentally, a genius. He\u2019s still there, still fighting and turning things around when things look really bad. He was able to do that today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Add the Spaniard\u2019s haul in New York to his 12 titles at the French Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open, and the 20-19 gap between Federer and Nadal is the closest it\u2019s been in 15 years. Federer led 1-0 after his breakthrough triumph at the All England Club in 2003, and he had four by the time Nadal got his first at Roland Garros in 2005.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Federer, who lost in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open, is 38, while Nadal is 33 \u2014 making him the oldest male champion at Flushing Meadows since 1970. He\u2019s also the first man to win five majors after turning 30.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Nadal says he wants to finish his career at No. 1 in the Grand Slam standings \u2014 ahead of Federer and Novak Djokovic, looming in third place currently with 16 \u2014 but also insists he won\u2019t base his happiness on how it all shakes out in the end.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">This particular match ended the way he wanted it to. The journey just took more detours than anyone could have anticipated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">It also, Nadal said, made \u201cthis day unforgettable, part of my history.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">When the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) Medvedev sensed the loss approaching, he turned into a trickier foe, playing less defensively and more aggressively. He alternated serve-and-volley rushes with a penchant for out-hitting Nadal at the baseline. For a stretch, it felt as if Medvedev simply could not miss, and he finished with a 75-62 edge in winners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That\u2019s the sort of ball-striking Medvedev displayed while going 20-2 during the North American hard-court circuit until Sunday, reaching four finals in a row. But he also switched tactics, winning 22 of 29 serve-and-volley points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe way that he was able to fight, to change the rhythm of the match, was just incredible,\u201d Nadal said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Flushing Meadows fans that jeered Medvedev in Week 1 because of his on-court behavior \u2014 he trolled his detractors by sarcastically thanking them and telling him their vitriol was why he won \u2014 were pulling for him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Or, as he noted during the trophy ceremony, pulling for more bang for the bucks they spent on tickets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">They certainly got that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI\u2019ll definitely remember it,\u201d Medvedev said, \u201ceven when I\u2019m, like, 70 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">More AP Tennis: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apnews.com\/apf-Tennis\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.apnews.com\/apf-Tennis<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP%E2%80%94Sports\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP\u2014Sports<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/19-slams-nadal-stops-medvedev-comeback-bid-to-win-us-open\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rafael Nadal, of Spain, poses with the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men&#8217;s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa)AP | AP Rafael Nadal, of Spain, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1314405","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-27 04:04:21","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1314405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1314405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1314405\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1314405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1314405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1314405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}