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US Open: Medvedev salutes ‘great’ Djokovic after winning 24th Grand Slam title

Daniil Medvedev lavished praise on Novak Djokovic after the Serbian star defeated the Russian at the US Open on Sunday for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam crown.

Medvedev, who joined the exclusive club of players to have beaten Djokovic in a Grand Slam final with his victory at the US Open in 2021, was unable to repeat the feat on Sunday.

Speaking after Djokovic completed a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 victory to capture his fourth US Open crown, Medvedev revealed how the Serbian great had treated him earlier in his career.

“When we first played I was probably 500th in the world. And he was super kind to me,” Medvedev said.
“Nothing special, but he treated me like a normal person. And he still does. Nothing changed: 24, 30, 12 Grand Slams? Nothing changes.

“And I think that’s something great about a person you can say.”

Medvedev said that beating Djokovic at the US Open final was the greatest achievement of his career to date.

“From one side I can say, and really I find this amazing, that I beat Novak in a Grand Slam final, which probably at this moment is the pinnacle of my career,” he said.

“At the same time, maybe if he and Rafa (Nadal) didn’t exist … I played five finals against them and I only managed to win one. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. But you know, [Djokovic] pushes me to be better.”

Medvedev meanwhile was left ruing his inability to level Sunday’s final at one set apiece after holding a set point in a gripping, 104-minute second set.

Instead, Djokovic saved the set point and forced a tie-break which he would go on to win to take a stranglehold on the match.

“Should have won it,” Medvedev said of the second set. “Should have won it, but sometimes tennis is not that easy.

“Second set was the best set I played and I didn’t win it. So that’s why it’s kind of normal that the match went that way.

“Because first and third he was kind of better and not much to say. If I’d won the second, it maybe could have been a different game.

“If I wanted to win the match, I had to win that set.”

Medvedev had produced a scintillating display to upset defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

But he acknowledged that trying to replicate that quality of performance 48 hours later had been a bridge too far.

“It’s not easy to repeat, because against Carlos I played one of best matches of my life,” Medvedev said.

“I mean, against Novak here two years ago it’s kind of in the same category. It’s not that easy to repeat it day in, day out.”

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Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Secure 2-0 Win Over Abia Warriors As NPFL Action Heats Up

Rangers International players celebrating a goal during their NPFL win over Abia Warriors in Enugu.

Rangers International put on a show in Enugu on Wednesday, sealing a convincing 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday five encounter.

The Flying Antelopes got off to a bright start as Chigozie Iwundu struck in the 13th minute, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Just before the half-hour mark, Godwin Obaje doubled the lead, showcasing his fine form with two goals in his last two matches.

The win catapulted Rangers into fifth place on the NPFL table with 11 points from seven games, keeping them within touching distance of the top four. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors, despite the loss, remain in fourth place with 12 points from the same number of matches.

Elsewhere at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday six fixture. Club legend Rabiu Ali rolled back the years, scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute to give Pillars a much-needed victory.

With the NPFL season still taking shape, fans can expect more drama, goals, and big performances as the race for the top intensifies.

At Sports Market International, we continue to bring you the best coverage, analysis, and insights from the world of football and beyond. Stay tuned — the NPFL is only just getting started!

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Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Hails Players After 2-1 Victory At Bayelsa United

Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Has Praised His Players For Their Impressive Performance Following A Hard-Fought 2-1 Away Victory Against Bayelsa United In The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The Solid Miners Showed Resilience At The Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, On Sunday, Rallying From A Goal Down To Secure Their First Away Win Of The 2024/25 NPFL Season.

How The Game Unfolded

Bayelsa United Took The Lead In The 36th Minute Through Jawad Mustapha, Putting The Hosts In Control. However, Nasarawa United Responded Bravely, With Ekeson Okorie Restoring Parity Just Before Half-Time.

Substitute Victor Onovuke Then Delivered The Decisive Moment In The 89th Minute, Scoring The Winning Goal To Hand Nasarawa United A Memorable Victory On The Road.

Mangut Talks Up Massive Win

Speaking After The Match, Coach Mbwas Mangut Highlighted The Determination And Discipline Of His Team Despite Difficult Playing Conditions.

“It Was A Very Tight Game Based On The Condition Of The Field As It Was Water-Logged Due To A Heavy Downpour,” Mangut Told The Club’s Media.

“We Conceded Through An Error, But We Played Our Way Back And Got What We Worked For. After Losing Their Last Home Game, Bayelsa United Were More Under Pressure In Today’s Game. So, We Came With A Game Plan To Frustrate Them The More, And It Worked For Us.

“I Give Credit To My Boys For Being Able To Get The Job Done, Without Sounding Disrespectful To The Bayelsa United’s Side, Because They Gave Their All, But Unfortunately Couldn’t Get Any Positive Result.”

What The Result Means

The Win Marks A Significant Step Forward For Nasarawa United In Their NPFL Campaign. Securing An Away Victory Against A Tough Opponent Like Bayelsa United Underscores Their Ambition To Climb Higher Up The Table And Compete With The League’s Best.

Sports Market International Continues To Deliver The Best Sport Blog Content Across The World, Highlighting NPFL Action, Tactical Insights, And Inspirational Stories That Shape The Sports Market.

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Rivers United Offer Free Jerseys And Free Admission Ahead Of NPFL Clash With Shooting Stars

Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George’s Rivers United Are Raising The Stakes Ahead Of Their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Clash With Shooting Stars By Offering Fans Free Replica Jerseys And Free Admission To The Match. The Rivers State Outfit Will Host Ibadan Warriors At Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium On Sunday, In One Of The Biggest Fixtures Of Week Four.

Both Teams Are Eager For A Win After Dropping Points Last Weekend. Rivers United Settled For A Goalless Draw With El-Kanemi Warriors, While Shooting Stars Were Held By Nemesis Ikorodu City In Ibadan.

To Ignite Fan Support And Boost Their Chances, Rivers United Announced On Social Media A Special Giveaway:

“FREE Replica Jerseys For FANS! Gate Fee: FREE! Don’t Miss Out! Show Your Team Pride & Join Us For An Electrifying Match.”

This Bold Move Highlights The Pride Of Rivers’ Determination To Secure All Three Points In This Crucial Encounter As Finidi Looks To Challenge For The NPFL Title Again.

The History Between The Two Clubs Adds Extra Spice To The Fixture. Rivers Have Claimed Four Wins In The Last Eight Meetings, While Shooting Stars Have Three. Notably, In Their Last Four Meetings In Port Harcourt, Rivers United Have Been Dominant With Four Clean-Sheet Victories, Including A 2-0 Win In Shooting Stars’ Last Visit.

Finidi George’s Rivers United Will Be Hoping To Rely On The Unwavering Support Of Their Energised Home Crowd, Boosted By The Free Jersey Offer, To Continue Their Strong Home Form And Shoot Down Oluyole Warriors This Weekend.

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