SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 8 hrs 4 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Novak Djokovic survives scare to keep calendar grand slam bid on track

:Headline: Novak Djokovic survives scare to keep calendar grand slam bid on track:
The world number one dropped the first set of his US Open quarter-final against Matteo Berrettini but came back to win in four.
Sports Mole

Novak Djokovic survived the biggest test so far in his bid for the calendar grand slam by coming from a set down against Matteo Berrettini to reach the US Open semi-final.

The world number one, looking to add the Flushing Meadows title to his Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon crowns, dropped the opening set to big-serving sixth seed Berrettini.

But in a rematch of the Wimbledon final the outcome was the same, as Djokovic won in four, triumphing 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-3 in three hours and 26 minutes.

The Serbian's task does not get any easier, though, as his semi-final opponent is Alexander Zverev, the man who denied him a shot at the golden slam by beating him at the Olympics.

Matteo Berrettini won the first set (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Djokovic said on court: "He's in tremendous form, he's been winning a lot. He has comfortably moved to the semi-finals here.

"I know his game well, we played in Tokyo. He's one of the best players in the world, but the bigger the challenge the more glory in overcoming it.

"This was a great match, with a lot of energy on and off the court. Matteo is a terrific player and every time we face each other it's a close battle.

"When I lost the first set I managed to forget about it and move on. I was locked in at the start of the second and it was the best three sets I've played so far."

It was a 26th consecutive victory at a major for Djokovic and came on the 52nd anniversary of Rod Laver becoming the last man to win all four grand slam events in the same year.

But it was far from plain sailing in a brutal 77-minute first set in which both players put each other's serve under intense scrutiny.

Berrettini made the breakthrough for 6-5 with a sweeping cross-court forehand and although the Italian squandered three set points, an ace and a wide Djokovic forehand eventually proved decisive.

However, once Djokovic drew first blood in the second and made just three unforced errors to confidently level the match, Berrettini looked beaten and the result was no longer in doubt.

Fourth seed Zverev was a comfortable 7-6 (6) 6-3 6-4 winner against South African surprise package Lloyd Harris.

The German will go into the last-four showdown buoyed by his semi-final win over the 20-time grand slam champion in Tokyo.

Alexander Zverev awaits in the semi-final (Elise Amendola/AP)

"I mean, it's the biggest tournament in the world. It's the Olympics," he said.

"Winning there against the world number one, especially as I was down a set and a break, being kind of out of the match, then coming back, it was different than the other matches. The emotions were different.

"This year it seems like nobody can beat him in a big match, nobody can beat him at the grand slams.

"I feel like I was the first player to beat him in a very big match this year. That does give you something."

body check tags ::

amp_article__462834 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-09 07:03:31:
html db last update - 2021-09-09 06:57:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Novak Djokovic

Share this article now:
ER
Read Next:
Emma Raducanu 'enjoying the experience' after unexpected US Open semi-final run
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Novak Djokovic Matteo Berrettini Alexander Zverev Lloyd Harris Tennis
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Emma Raducanu 'enjoying the experience' after unexpected US Open semi-final run
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Arsenal 'suffer blow in pursuit of PSG attacker'

1

A'

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

2

MC

Preview: Girona vs. Betis - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PG

Preview: Borussia M'bach vs. Freiburg - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PB

Preview: Werder Bremen vs. Wolfsburg - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PW

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

6

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PB

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

8

MC

Preview: Chelsea vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PC

How Chelsea could line up against Burnley

10

HC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .