Medvedev's straight-set upset was all but secured when Djokovic seemed strangely flat, but a crowd full of history gave him a love he had never felt in New York.
Djokovic skipped the U.S. Open last year because to the federal government's Covid-19 vaccination ban.
Mid-August saw him play the Western & Southern Open near Cincinnati in America for the first time in over two years. He quickly found his passion from the 2021 U.S. Open final had not gone.
Sunday, when Medvedev returned to form midway through the second set, Djokovic needed all that assistance.
After a mistake-filled set and a half, the Russian with octopus arms and gazelle legs cleaned up his game, stepped up his serve, and did that very effective backboard imitation that has propelled him to the top of the sport.
A match with 30-shot rallies routinely produced points longer than 20 shots, and Djokovic's legs began to go like a boxer jolted by a jaw blow.
Gasping, he leaned on his racket between points. A bag of ice stroked his head between games.
Serving to remain in the second set at 5-6, he stretched and threw balls. He heaved while running for shots, saving set point with two delicate volleys.