2023-09-08 22:06:00
It was only in the 3rd set with his back once morest the wall that Ben Shelton (ATP 47) was able to get the audience in the Arthur Ashe Stadium on his side. The 20-year-old managed the break to equalize 4:4 and thus fueled hopes of a local finalist at the US Open. The cheers were huge – and Novak Djokovic (ATP 2) was a little unsettled for the first time in the game.
Suddenly the audience saw a game at eye level, suddenly Shelton sensed morning air. The youngster fought his way into the tiebreak following missing a set and fending off a match point. There, however, Djokovic showed what he does best: unpacking his best tennis in the crucial moments. So the Serb kept the better end for himself – following a 7:4 in the tiebreak he was able to celebrate following 2 hours and 39 minutes.
A one-sided game for a long time
Previously, a class difference had been visible on the pitch for a long time. Djokovic imposed his game on the surprise semi-finalist Shelton from the start. There was little to see of the young American’s strong serves and dangerous net attacks; instead, the mistakes piled up.
In the first set alone, the 20-year-old made 16 unforced errors, compared to only 5 winners. Djokovic only managed one more winner, but thanks to only four errors the Serb was never in trouble. In just 34 minutes the round went to the 23-time Grand Slam champion 6:3.
The second sentence also remains clear
Even following that, Shelton was unable to improve. He continued to be flawed and therefore failed to really heat up the audience, who were certainly on the American’s side. The second round also went to Djokovic, who was 16 years older. He served it home with a score of 6:2.
After the 3rd set started in the worst possible way for Shelton – he had to concede another break to Djokovic – the duel seemed definitely decided. The game, which took place under a closed roof (which might have been an advantage for Shelton), was bubbling towards the end – until Shelton did provide a brief hope.
No US winner
The American public’s desire for a home win ends abruptly. No local has won the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 – the title will go to Europe once more this year.
In Sunday’s final (live on SRF from 10:05 p.m.), Djokovic will face either Daniil Medvedev (RUS/ATP 3) on his way to his 24th Grand Slam title. This will be a repeat of the 2021 final, in which Medvedev prevented Djokovic’s calendar Grand Slam and won his only victory at major level to date.
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