Daniil Medvedev had a unique problem on Sunday. Taking on world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the US Open final was not the only task he had in hand. He also had to find a fitting third wedding anniversary gift for his wife Daria.

He was well prepared for the first — stunning Djokovic in a packed Arthur Ashe stadium 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to win his first grand slam title. But he had no back-up plan for the anniversary gift and so he just had to win the trophy.

“It’s a certain anniversary for me and my wife today. During the tournament, I couldn’t think of a present or anything so when I went into the final after the semis win, I thought ‘okay, if I lose, I will have to find a present fast. When I won (the first set), the only thing I thought was ‘wow, if I lose I will have no time to find a present and so, I have to win this match.’ I love you Daria,” Medvedev, the world No.2, said during the on-court interaction after becoming the US Open champion as his wife watched from the stands, trying to keep her emotions in check.

The focus had been on Djokovic all through the tournament. Not only was he on the verge of winning a calendar grand slam, he was also set to go past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the maximum number of major titles won. The trinity have 20 grand slam titles each.

But the 25-year-old Russian, a neighbour of Djokovic’s in their adopted home of Monaco, was determined to make the Sunday all about himself.

Medvedev set the tone early in the match, breaking Djokovic’s serve in the first game and easily wrapping up the first set at 6-4.

But for Djoker fans, and maybe even for the man himself, it was not supposed to be a matter of huge concern. At this US Open, Djokovic had lost sets in every match, apart from the second round one against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. And in every match he had been able to treat them as minor hindrances and had eventually raised his game by a few notches.

Medvedev, however, had a different script in mind.

Djokovic, 34, was completely out of sorts on Sunday and this final may well be remembered for his uncharacteristic loss of resilience.

Djokovic threatened a fightback early in the second set but could not take his chances. He was up 40-0 on Medvedev’s serve at 1-0 but lost five consecutive points and started to show signs of frustration by angrily banging his hand against his thigh. A long fourth game broke Djokovic’s spirit. After letting two break points slip by, he smashed his racket against the court surface after mistiming a return. Booed by some of the spectators and warned by the umpire for equipment abuse, he walked over to his bag for a new racket.

But he never really recovered. Medvedev claimed a break to take a 4-2 lead and then, serving for a two-set lead at 5-4, he converted his third set point when Djokovic hit a backhand wide.

Even at this stage, one was reminded of the French Open final in June, when Djokovic had successfully come back from two sets down against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Medvedev raced to a 4-0 lead in the third set, before Djokovic managed to earn a game. Then, leading 5-2 and serving for the match, the Russian suddenly looked a bit limp and made two consecutive double faults. As he again hit a forehand into the net, the crowd got behind Djokovic urging him to dig deep and bring some fight into the match. That, however, was not to be.

Medvedev held his nerve, and serving for the match at 5-4, he converted a third match point with a fantastic serve to which Djokovic had no answer.

Medvedev is now Russia’s third grand-slam men’s singles champion, joining former world No.1s Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin.

Djokovic’s tough run through the draw was undoubtedly a factor. He had played five more sets and spent five hours 35 minutes longer on court than Medvedev coming into the final.

After the match, Medvedev hailed Djokovic as “the greatest tennis player of all time”.

“I want to say sorry to Novak and the fans,” he said. “What you have accomplished today and during your career, for me you are the greatest tennis player in history.”

Stosur, Shuai triumph

The Australia-China combination of Sam Stosur and Zhang Shuai won their second grand slam women’s doubles title together on Sunday, defeating home favourites Coco Gauff and Caty McNally 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Written with inputs from New York Times News Service