Djokovic reached the US Open final for the 10th time
Facing the best serving player of the tournament, Djokovic proved his ability to return the best serve in the world. He made Shelton have only five aces and a 60% winning rate. Nole had 14 break points and took advantage of five of them to win after three sets lasting two hours and 40 minutes.
Shelton was not seeded, but reached the semi-finals thanks to his powerful serve and energetic play of the age of 20. Against the owner of 23 Grand Slams, the host player became gentle, making 43 mistakes. spoiled the whole match.
In all three sets, Shelton was in a chase after losing the serve game. The American player only rose strongly in the third set, equalizing the score at 4-4 and then saving the match point to bring the set to a tie-break. But since the 2014 US Open, Djokovic has never lost a tie-break in a Grand Slam semi-final. This time is no exception. Nole soon led 5-1, then won 7-4 in a brainstorming series to decide the match. Djokovic extended his winning streak against American opponents to 31.
"Playing against an American player is never easy," Nole said after the match. "Games like this inspire me to try and work like young men. I feel like I still have a lot to offer the world."
In the third year of his career, Djokovic reached the finals of all four Grand Slams. He did this in 2015 and 2021. If crowned in New York, the 36-year-old player will become the oldest person to win the US Open men's singles championship in the Open Era.
Victory in his 100th match on hard courts at the Grand Slam puts Djokovic in his 36th final at this level. This year, he has won four titles, including two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. Waiting for Nole in the last match in New York is Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev.
"It will be the hardest match of the tournament, whether the opponent is Alcaraz or Medvedev," Djokovic said of the final on September 10. "They're all in great form. Medvedev beat me in the final two years ago, and Carlos is amazing at 20 with what he's done."
