![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/131007590_gettyimages-1649000197-696x392.jpg\" "\\"_131007590_gettyimages-1649000197\\"\/")
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Daniil Medvedev reached the US Open semi-finals by beating Andrey Rublev in hot and humid conditions that he said would cause a player to \u201cdie\u201d.<\/p>\n
The third seed appeared to struggle with his breathing but beat his fellow Russian 6-4 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne player is going to die and you are going to see,\u201d he said into a camera during the match in New York.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Medvedev faces Carlos Alcaraz next after the defending champion beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-2 6-4.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s Alcaraz, 20, saw off five break points on his way to an efficient victory over the German 12th seed.<\/p>\n
Both men\u2019s semi-finals will take place at Flushing Meadows on Friday.<\/p>\n
Serb second seed Novak Djokovic, bidding for a record-equalling 24th major title, will face young American Ben Shelton in the first match at 15:00 local time (20:00 BST).<\/p>\n
\u2018It was brutal\u2019<\/h3>\n
With a heatwave sweeping over New York, the match between Medvedev and Rublev was played under a partially closed roof on the hottest day of the tournament so far, with temperatures rising to about 35C on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Both players looked physically and emotionally drained as Medvedev \u2013 who won the 2021 US Open \u2013 eventually wrapped up the match after two hours and 48 minutes before comparing the \u201cbrutal\u201d conditions with the weather he experienced during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only good thing I see in these conditions is that both [players] suffer. It\u2019s tough for both of us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Medvedev and Rublev each took lengthy bathroom breaks between sets for a moment of respite from the heat and to change their sweat-drenched clothes.<\/p>\n The pair also hosed themselves down with cold water, sat under ice towels and made the most of the air conditioning units at their seats.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the first set I couldn\u2019t see the ball any more. I played with sensations \u2013 try to go for it, try to run, try to catch the balls \u2013 and he did the same sometimes,\u201d Medvedev added.<\/p>\n \u201cA few moments in the third set he was up a break. I couldn\u2019t wait to go to the cold shower, but the thing about that is when you come out either you can\u2019t move because your body blocks or you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n Medvedev beats best friend to reach semi-finals<\/strong><\/p>\n While Medvedev has contested four Grand Slam finals, 25-year-old Rublev \u2013 who broke into the world\u2019s top 10 in October 2020 \u2013 is still bidding for a first major semi-final.<\/p>\n World number eight Rublev has lost all nine of the Grand Slam quarter-finals he has played.<\/p>\n The Russian pair have been best friends since the age of six and Rublev is godfather to Medvedev\u2019s daughter, with the 2021 champion calling him \u201cfamily\u201d before their last-eight encounter.<\/p>\n Rublev was a break up early in every set, but Medvedev was able to find a shift in momentum each time despite taking two medical timeouts and using an inhaler as he struggled with his breathing.<\/p>\n The higher-ranked Russian got the key break for 5-4 to serve out the opening set and after being 3-1 down in the second, he won five successive games and left Rublev looking dejected.<\/p>\n With the finish line in sight, and after letting four match points come and go on Rublev\u2019s serve, Medvedev wrapped up the victory on the fifth as his opponent fired a forehand into the net.<\/p>\n \u201cI know he never gives up. The thing is he knows I never [give up] too,\u201d Medvedev, who has dropped just two sets so far, said.<\/p>\n Few have predicted anyone but Alcaraz and Djokovic, the two dominant players in the men\u2019s game, to contest Sunday\u2019s final.<\/p>\n Alcaraz won the title last year in Djokovic\u2019s absence, with the Serb not allowed to enter the United States because he was not vaccinated against Covid, which at that time was mandatory for visitors.<\/p>\n Both players, who produced a gripping Wimbledon final which Alcaraz won, are now one more victory from another showdown.<\/p>\n Zverev became the latest challenger to fall against Alcaraz, who was far from his best against the 2020 runner-up but still had enough quality to come through relatively unscathed.<\/p>\n After saving two break points at 3-3 in the first set, Alcaraz took his opponent\u2019s serve in the next game and broke twice more in the second set.<\/p>\n There were question marks over Zverev\u2019s physical state coming into the match, with his previous win against Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner finishing at 01:39 local time in brutally humid conditions.<\/p>\n He is also continuing his comeback from a serious ankle injury which sidelined him for seven months until the start of this season.<\/p>\n Things looked ominous for 26-year-old Zverev when he went off court for treatment on a hamstring injury before the third set, but he recovered sufficiently to create three more break points across the second and fourth games.<\/p>\n However, he could not convert any of them and Alcaraz pounced again.<\/p>\n Going on the attack, Alcaraz hit two superb forehand winners to help him break for 5-4 and served out to reach his third major semi-final of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling really comfortable. I\u2019m showing my best level, feeling strong physically and mentally,\u201d said Alcaraz, who swatted aside Medvedev in the Wimbledon last four in July.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Medvedev](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/_131007595_gettyimages-1664034871.jpg\")
Alcaraz has too much quality for Zverev<\/h3>\n
![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/_131008321_alcaraz.jpg\")