RUSSIAN third seed Daniil Medvedev came back from a disappointing first set to end the US Open hopes of Australian Alex de Minaur in their fourth round clash earlier today. The one-time Grand Slam winner denied Novak Djokovic a chance at a calendar Slam two years ago and is now just three wins away from making it two trophies in three years after defeating de Minaur, 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-2.

Medvedev has an impressive 27-5 record at Flushing Meadows, and reaches the quarterfinals at the US Open for the fourth time in five years. Having to battle both the conditions and de Minaur’s incredible resistance, the Russian found himself in a bit of trouble early before taking advantage of the Australian noticeably under the weather.

“The conditions were some of the most brutal we’ve ever played,” Medvedev said post-match. “There was one moment where I thought I’m not going to be able to play until the end, it’s so tough. But I looked across the net and noticed he was slowing down too, so I thought ‘okay, I can do this.’ Then I managed to serve much better and it changed the match.”

After winning the first set, de Minaur looked on track to push Medvedev and go 2-0 up but in the ninth game of the second set, was broken and Medvedev held on to level the match. The Australian continued to tire for the remainder of the match and Medvedev took full advantage dropping just three more games to win in two hours and 40 minutes.

Medvedev served 11 aces to de Minaur’s one, while winning a massive 81 per cent of his first serve points off a 64 per cent clip. By comparison, the Australian only won 69 per cent off 55 per cent efficiency, resulting in just the one ace. Though de Minaur hit one more winner (31-30) and only four more unforced errors (36-32), Medvedev finished far stronger and clinched five breaks from 10 opportunities.

The title hopeful will face close friend and fellow Russian Andrey Rublev for the eighth time in the quarterfinals, with Medvedev boasting a 5-2 record over his compatriot.

“It’s going to be intense and very tough physically,” Medvedev said. “He’s a great player, so I’m looking forward to it. We usually have a great level in our matches.”

The other quarter final will see world number one Carlos Alcaraz take on German Alexander Zverev after the pair won in very different circumstances. The Spaniard trounced Italian Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets, 6-3 6-3 6-4, while Zverev survived a five-set epic against another Italian in sixth seed Jannik Sinner.

In the women’s singles, two top five seeds departed, with one of the oturnament favourites, local hope Jessica Pegula and Tunisian Ons Jabeur both blitzed in straight sets. Qinwen Zheng – who knocked off a tired Jabeur 6-2 6-4 – will face fellow power hitter and second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter finals. American Madison Keys – who stormed pass Pegula 6-1 6-3 – will meet Czech ninth seed Marketa Vondrousova in the last eight.