Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated tennis star Daniil Medvedev, after winning the Flushing Meadows championship by defeating the world's number one, Novak Djokovic, in the US Open final. 

The Serb Djokivic was defeated 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 by Medvedev, which denied the athlete another victory after winning the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon. This makes Medvedev the first Russian to win a championship since Maria Sharapova in 2014, and the first Russian man since Marat Safin in 2005.

“That is how real champions play!” Putin wrote on Telegram.

“On the path to the final of this prestigious competition, you demonstrated the highest class of skill and perseverance," he addressed Medvedev.

The Russian president also described Serbian Djokovic, as "a strong and renowned opponent.”

Medvedev's achievement gave Russia its first title in a major tennis championship, after an absence of 16 years since Marat Safin won the Australian championship.