2023-09-08 21:57:00
Novak Djokovic defeated young American sensation Ben Shelton in three sets of 6-3, 6-2 and 7-6 to reach the final of the United States Open for the 10th time in his career, Friday at Flushing Meadows .
The Joker achieved everything in 2 hours 42 despite a crowd largely in favor of his opponent. At 5-5 in the third set, the 36-year-old broke the powerful southpaw to bring himself to serve for the match. Tenacious, Shelton did not give up and forced a tiebreaker on the fourth break point available to him.
To the great dismay of American fans, all good things must come to an end and Djokovic came full circle by winning 7-4 in the break.
“I knew I was going to face an American in the semi-final, so I knew I had to be ready and focused because you were going to be loud, and not necessarily in my favor,” joked Djokovic following his victory .
With his victory at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati a little less than three weeks ago, the 2nd racket in the world has still not lost on American soil in 2023. He will cross swords in the final with the winner of the duel between Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev later in the evening in what will be his 36 career Grand Slam final.
“It’s the Grand Slams that motivate me to wake up every morning and work as hard as the young guys. I know that my next match will be the hardest of the tournament, whether it is Carlos or Daniil,” concluded the winner.
Djokovic, who missed the last edition of the US Open due to his vaccination status, might therefore avenge his defeat suffered in the final once morest Daniil Medvedev in 2021. The last of his three titles in New York dates back to 2018.
As for Shelton, who will turn 21 in October, he will make a significant jump from his current 47th place in the ATP rankings. To reach the semi-final, the young American overcame his compatriots Frances Tiafoe (10th) and Tommy Paul (14th).
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