Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (right), shakes hands with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, after winning their match during the men's singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships, Sept 8, 2023, in New York. (PHOTO / AP)

NEW YORK - Daniil Medvedev of Russia toppled Spain's Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the US Open final on Friday.

"I said I needed to play 11 out of 10. I played 12 out of 10, except the third set. That's the only way [to beat Alcaraz]," said third-seeded Medvedev. "He's so young, already two Grand Slams, world No 1 for many weeks, it's honestly just pretty unbelievable, and I think nobody has done it before him, so to beat him you need to be better than yourself and I managed to do it."

It will be Medvedev's third US Open final in five years. The 27-year-old Russian won his lone major title in 2021 US Open by defeating 23-time Slam winner Novak Djokovic in that year's final.

36-year-old Djokovic defeated 20-year-old unseeded American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) to reach his 10th US Open final and 36th at all major tournaments.

READ MORE: Veteran Djokovic overcomes Shelton to reach US Open final

"Another Grand Slam final. I cannot be happier with where I am," said the Serbian, who will return to world No1 next week regardless of the final result.

Djokovic has reached the finals of all four majors this season, with victories at the Australian Open and French Open.