THE first 2021 US Open semi-final has been decided, with second seed Daniil Medvedev and 12th ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime set to go head-to-head following quarter final victories. While Medvedev was forced to go to a tight fourth set, Auger-Aliassime enters his first grand slam semi off the back of an unfortunate mid-match retirement from a talented teen.

Dutch talent Botic Van de Zandschulp was the only remaining qualifier left in the draw having overcome some tough foes, but defeating Medvedev was just one step too far with the Russian unreachable for much of their quarter final encounter. To his credit, Van de Zandschulp was able to steal one set off the world number two, going down in four 6-3 6-0 4-6 7-5 but putting in the hard yards to challenge Medvedev throughout the two hour and 23-minute clash. Medvedev credited Van de Zandschulp for his workrate, telling crowds in his post-match on-court interview that “it became a lot tougher”.

“First two sets he was missing and I was controlling the game,” Medevedev said. “But then he started missing less and hit with more power and played more aggressively. The break point he won he hit a forehand winner, so it became a lot tougher for me.

“I am happy with my game in the fourth set because on my first serve, I only lost two points and I always felt under pressure. Then at 6-5 he got a little bit tight, and I managed to do it without the tie-break, which is helpful.”

The Russian dictated all proceedings, firing 13 aces to contribute to his 26 overall winners and winning a solid 83 per cent of his first serve points off a 66 per cent clip. He backed up well on his second serve, winning 56 per cent of points to lead Van de Zanschulp in majority of the statistics. Making things tougher for the Dutch qualifier was his own unforced error count, registering 35 unforced errors to Medvedev’s 24.

“Botic played so many tough matches and today he was able to still come back and in the fourth set, anything could have happened,” Medvedev said. “It was an amazing level from him and if he continues to play like this he is going to be Top 50 minimum.”

“In 2019 was my first slam breakthrough, so already New York is in my heart, especially with the final against Rafael [Nadal],” Medvedev said. “Then last year, I still reached the semi-finals, losing to Dominic [Thiem] who played amazingly. I just want to do a little bit better than the last two times and get over this last little step, which is the toughest one.”

In a battle between two talented youngsters, it was the more experience 12th seed in Auger-Aliassime that earned a quick ride to the semi-finals, with a default victory off the back of a Carlos Alcaraz retirement midway through the second set. With the 6-3 3-1 victory, Auger-Aliassime became the youngest male to reach the last four at the US Open since 2009, with a much more impressive national record now in his pocket – the first Canadian man to make the semi-finals in the tournament’s history (since 1981).

“It’s an amazing milestone. It’s been a fantastic tournament for me. Of course it was a weird ending today.  But in the end, I’m through,” Auger-Aliassime said post-match. “I’ll have a chance to play on Friday against one of the best players in the world right now to have a chance to be in my first Grand Slam final. It’s amazing, I’m happy I’m through and I’ll try to win the next one.”

Throughout the short 68-minute clash, Auger-Aliassime fired off eight aces and 15 winners, winning 79 per cent of his first serve points in the process. Both Auger-Aliassime and Alcaraz registered 16 unforced errors apiece during that short time, with the Canadian winning two break points to the Spaniard’s zero. The mid-match retirement came as a surprise for Auger-Aliassime, who said post-match that he was unaware of any issue Alcaraz was carrying.

“No, I didn’t [know anything was wrong] until he called the physio. I don’t know what happened, clearly, but it’s unfortunate. I didn’t see it coming. He’s such a good player. You guys were amazing again tonight,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I thought we were putting on a good show.”

US OPEN QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:

[2] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-3 6-0 4-6 7-5
[12] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 6-3 3-1 RET

Picture credit: Garrett Ellwood/USTA