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Novak Djokovic Advances to U.S. Open Final for the Fourth Time
In the U.S. Open semifinals, Novak Djokovic faced off against the up-and-coming American player, Ben Shelton. After a hard-fought match, Djokovic secured his spot in the Grand Slam final for the fourth time this year. The 36-year-old tennis star acknowledged that his playing career won’t last forever but remains committed to the game as long as he continues to perform at the top level.
Djokovic expressed, “I don’t want to even consider leaving tennis or thinking about an end if I’m still at the top of the game. I just don’t see a reason for that. I will probably consider doing that if I get my a— kicked by young guys in Grand Slams in the years to come in the earlier stages. Then I’ll probably say, OK, maybe it’s time to move on. But so far, you know, I still feel that I’m in the game.”
During his match against Shelton, Djokovic showcased nearly flawless tennis in the first two sets. Although the third set was more competitive, Djokovic demonstrated his skills as he secured the victory. Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. Open, Djokovic will regain his position as the world’s No. 1 ranked player.
The highly anticipated final between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, the defending U.S. Open champion and reigning Wimbledon king, did not materialize. Daniil Medvedev defeated Alcaraz, setting up a rematch of the 2021 U.S. Open final against Djokovic. Medvedev had shocked the tennis world by defeating Djokovic in the previous final, stopping his pursuit of a calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s singles.
Reflecting on his performance against Shelton, Djokovic acknowledged the importance of serving well. He maintained a high first-serve percentage and showcased his return skills against the big server. Djokovic imitated Shelton’s celebratory phone gesture after his victory and jokingly mentioned that he borrowed the celebration from Shelton.
Although Djokovic was disappointed to lose two games in the third set, he remains confident in his overall game heading into the final. The Serbian tennis star has been in excellent form since winning the Cincinnati Masters right before the U.S. Open started. He expressed satisfaction with his performance throughout the tournament and is now focused on the ultimate challenge of fighting for another Grand Slam title.
In the final, Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev, who proved too strong for Alcaraz in their semifinal clash. Medvedev expressed before the match that he needed to play at an exceptional level to have a chance against Djokovic. After the victory, Medvedev revealed that he had surpassed his expectations and played at a level beyond his own capabilities.
Sunday’s final will be a chance for Djokovic to continue his pursuit of history. With a win, he will tie Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in tennis history, whether for men or women. Djokovic has an opportunity for redemption against Medvedev, whom he had defeated four consecutive times after their previous U.S. Open encounter. However, Medvedev also defeated Djokovic earlier this year in a hard-court tournament in Dubai. It’s a showdown between the experienced Djokovic and the determined Medvedev, and tennis fans can expect an exciting final at the U.S. Open.