That's long from Daniil Medvedev - and the first set goes to Novak Djokovic.

He's two more away from that 24th Grand Slam title.

Medvedev heads off court.

The crowd are certainly getting their money's worth so far!

Another gripping rally ends with Djokovic clenches his fist in celebration. He'll have a third set point - and fourth should he require it.

Medvedev has asked the question of Djokovic, at least.

But can he create one last opportunity? Djokovic gives his opponent hope with a miscued backhand but sends Medvedev out wide to reassert himself at 30-15.

Russell Fuller
Tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Medvedev is really not serving nearly well enough if he’s going to be competitive in this US Open final.

Image source, Getty Images

Medvedev misses a backhand to give Djokovic a second set point, but he maintains his composure at the net to bring down a smash.

The Russian puts everything he can behind a cross-court forehand and he finally gets to safety, setting up another shot at the Djokovic serve.

Medvedev digs in to reach deuce but then another double fault prevents him from wrapping up the game.

Groans from the crowd. That could prove very costly indeed.

Oh yes! Some shot from Medvedev under pressure, driving a two-handed backhand down the line to claw his way back to 30-30.

But his efforts might all be for nothing.

Set point Djokovic.

Jeff Tarango
Former American tennis player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

You can’t read that Djokovic forehand.

Suddenly it’s upon you and you can’t do anything with it.

After almost 40 minutes of this final, Daniil Medvedev steps up to try and keep himself alive in the opening set.

Djokovic is keen to wrap this up right here, however.

The Serb begins with a forehand winner, and a double fault from Medvedev opens the door.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

Like all sporting events in the United States, particularly New York City, there is a lot of emphasis on the X Factor.

Celebrity culture dominates.

Arthur Ashe Stadium is a great place for famous faces to further boost their profile and the punters love spotting them.

At the changeover the jumbotron picks out Hollywood royalty Nicole Kidman and NYC funnyman Jerry Seinfeld.

Pop star Justin Timberlake, wearing a checkboard-style golfing jumper, is also sat in the posh seats.

Djokovic is bringing Sexy Back in this start.

Image source, Getty Images

There's certainly decent support for both players around Arthur Ashe.

After Medvedev levels at 15-15, Djokovic receives admiration for a forehand winner, and further excitement builds among the crowd as a poor miss from Djokovic brings Medvedev to 40-30.

Still no way through for the Russian just yet, though! Another long rally is brought to an abrupt end by Djokovic, who picks his spot with a forehand winner to bring the first set into view.

Djokovic failed to win a set against Medvedev here two years ago, remember.

But, with the world number one in waiting dialled in from the off, it's going to take something special for Medvedev to turn this opening set around.

First things first, he needs another hold of serve. A couple of aces help put him in charge, before Djokovic puts too much on a forehand at 40-30 ensuring Medvedev remains within striking range.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

Medvedev, as he has regularly done this fortnight, is returning so deep he's almost back in Manhattan.

Djokovic uses that as an opportunity to spring forward, serving and volleying like it's 1993.

Djokovic has been really effective at the net so far and springs into another volley for game point, before drawing a miss from Medvedev with the Russian pinned to the back of the court.

Another hold under pressure from Djokovic, who remains in control on Arthur Ashe.

A matter of time before Djokovic picks up a time violation at this rate.

The second seed utilises the serve and volley again to edge in front at 40-30 - but a wonderful backhand from Medvedev leaves Djokovic rooted to the spot for deuce!

A missed backhand from Djokovic gives Medvedev a head start.

The Serb takes what feels like an age to serve, dropping his first into the net and allowing Medvedev to get stuck into another exhausting rally.

Just the 37 shots later, Djokovic drops a backhand into the net and Medvedev has 15-30. The Russian is growing into this.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Daniil Medvedev was starting to get more in top of the rallies and starting to impose his game a little bit more on Novak Djokovic.

I think he was putting Djokovic into more defensive positions in those rallies as well.

Image source, Getty Images

Novak Djokovic admitted that the overwhelming weight of history contributed to an underperformance when, on the brink of a stunning calendar Grand Slam two years ago, he lost to Daniil Medvedev at the final hurdle in New York.

With another monumental achievement on his mind, that certainly hasn't been the case so far.

But Medvedev gets himself on the score board after four games, to the delight of the crowd. That will do him a world of good as he looks to settle in here.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

There is a buzz in the stadium, it is one of those few times where Novak Djokovic will be playing a Grand Slam final where it is pretty evenly split here.

Normally they’re cheering for the underdog against him but here I think they’re really appreciating what they’ve seen with Novak’s ball striking.

It was looking good for Medvedev, but Djokovic calmly turns the game around and clinches a fourth successive point with an ace to ensure he follows up his early break for a 3-0 lead.

The perfect start in his pursuit of 24.