SM
Blackburn vs. Preston: 16 hrs 34 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Novak Djokovic downs gutsy Ben Shelton to reach 10th US Open final

:Headline: Novak Djokovic downs gutsy Ben Shelton to reach 10th US Open final:
Novak Djokovic reaches the US Open final for a record-breaking 10th time with a 6-3 6-2 7-6[4] win over a gusty Ben Shelton at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sports Mole

Novak Djokovic ended Ben Shelton's fairytale run to reach a record-breaking 10th US Open final with a straight-sets win over the American.

The 23-time major winner survived a late fightback from the 2002-born protege to prevail 6-3 6-2 7-6[4] in two hours and 39 minutes, thereby becoming the first man in the Open Era to reach 10 finals in multiple Grand Slam tournaments.

Standing in Djokovic's way of a fourth New York crown will be either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev, who square off in the day's second semi-final later on.

"First of all acknowledging the crowd, you guys were amazing, appreciate your support for both players. These are the kind of matches and occasions that I still thrive on, they still inspire me to wake up every day trying to work as hard as the young guys. Grand Slams are the ones that motivate me to play my best tennis," Djokovic said on the court.

"Today things were going really smoothly for me and he broke back, it was anybody's game at the end of the third set, but this is the atmosphere that we all like to play in. I still feel like I have something to give the sport.

"I expect the toughest match of the tournament regardless who is going to be across the net. Both of them are amazing players in great form. Daniil won against me here a couple of years ago, he's been one of the most consistent players at the US Open in the last four or five years. It'll be a good match for me to watch with my feet in the air, some popcorn and a few drinks!"

Despite wowing the Arthur Ashe crowd with his blistering serves and unparalleled groundstrokes, errors crept into Shelton's game early on as Djokovic won five of the opening seven games.

The American managed to save four set points and had the chance to break Djokovic when the Serbian was serving for the first set, but a forehand into the net preceded an identical mistake on set point as Djokovic established the advantage.

An untimely double fault from Shelton then saw him lose serve in the fifth game of the second set, and despite a mammoth effort in the seventh, the 20-year-old lost the double break and netted a backhand return to put Djokovic one set away from the final.

Shelton's Flushing Meadows journey was ostensibly coming to an end as he was broken in the first game of the third set, but the youngster stuck to his guns and refused to surrender, earning his first break for 4-4 as Djokovic returned long.

Serving to stay alive in the third, a Djokovic shot clipped the net tape and landed just wide of the line to bring up a set point for Shelton, but the 23-time Grand Slam winner found his serve when it mattered most to save it.

After holding for 5-5, Djokovic found himself with two break points as Shelton sent a forehand well wide, and the 36-year-old came to the net to fire a slick cross-court backhand past the American to put himself on the brink of victory.

However, Djokovic lost his way a little and was forced to come back from a 15-40 deficit, but after wasting one match point, he sent a forehand smash into the net as Shelton incredibly forced a crucial tie-breaker.

Once again, Shelton's admirable resilience came to the fore as he fought back from 5-1 down to 5-4, but he missed the mark with an improvised shot facing away from Djokovic before finding the net one last time to bow out. body check tags ::

amp_article__523587 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-09-09 12:25:05:
html db last update - 2023-09-09 12:25:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:


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!
Recommended Next on SM
Coco Gauff to meet Aryna Sabalenka in US Open final
Signs of progress! Man United book last-16 Europa League spot with strong display in Romania
Guardiola's Champions League nightmare? Premier League clubs' opponents revealed
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376
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

Thursday's Europa League predictions including FCSB vs. Man United

1

TE

More business with Brighton? Chelsea 'considering double Seagulls raid' in 2025

2

MB

Preview: PEC Zwolle vs. Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

3

PP

Moore goals to come? Spurs sensation breaks 67-year-old record

4

MG

Team News: Amorim confirms Man United XI for European clash in Romania

5

TN

Barcelona announce new long-term contract for superstar talent

6

BA

Real Madrid vs. Espanyol: Head-to-head record and past meetings

7

RM

Dias, Ake, Doku, Bobb latest: Man City injury list for Arsenal clash

8

DA

Could Arteta be without Raya? Arsenal injury list for Man City clash

9

CA

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PB


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