After defeating unseeded American Ben Shelton in straight sets on Friday to progress to his 10th US Open final, Novak Djokovic earned another chance at a record-tying 24th Grand Slam victory.
The 20-year-old Shelton’s streak came to an end as Djokovic defeated him 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), setting up a possible rematch with Carlos Alcaraz, who will take on Daniil Medvedev in the other semifinal.
A Grand Slam final, again. Djokovic, who won his 100th US Open match by emulating Shelton’s hang-up-the-phone gesture, said, “I cannot be happier with where I am.
In doing so, the 36-year-old Djokovic would tie Margaret Court for the most major singles championships ever and set a record for the oldest men’s winner in New York during the Open era.
The Serbian, who will reclaim the top spot in the global rankings after the competition, has now prevailed in 22 of his previous 23 Grand Slam semifinals. In 2018, he won the final of his three US Open championships.
For the third time, Djokovic has advanced to the final at all four major tournaments in the same year. For the fourth time in his career, he will attempt to win three Grand Slams in the same calendar year.
Djokovic said, “I’m definitely over the moon with the results so far on Grand Slams.
“Playing in all four Slam finals in a season is incredible. When the season first begins, it is the best accomplishment I can envision.
That’s what I truly wanted, that’s what I’ve been dreaming about, and that’s where I want to be in a situation like this.
Djokovic said that copying Shelton’s celebration was not done with the intention of making a statement.
“I like how Ben celebrates. It was very creative, in my opinion. I imitated him. I took his party away from him.
Shelton, on the other hand, found nothing wrong with it.
“If you win the match, you deserve to do whatever you want,” he remarked.
“I always learned as a child growing up that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
Shelton entered the US Open ranked 47th, but after reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal on Monday, he will finally break into the top 20.
“I believe that my two-week run was successful overall. There are many encouraging things to remember for the remainder of the year and the next year, he added.
Naturally, there is a little portion of disappointment in it. I am an adversary. Each setback stings. It slightly cuts you.
However, this week has only served to inspire me more, if anything.
The roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium was closed owing to the possibility of rain, thus Shelton was facing Djokovic for the first time. Djokovic struck early by breaking for a 4-2 advantage in the first set.
Shelton had incredible fortitude to save four set chances on his service at 2-5 before eking out a point to break back the next game. However, Djokovic eventually closed off the set in the fifth attempt.
At 2-2 in the second set, Shelton mishit a forehand, giving Djokovic two break opportunities. He then made a careless double fault to give his opponent the advantage once again.
With a second break, Djokovic consolidated his lead and moved two sets up after effectively neutralizing Shelton’s strong serve.
Djokovic gained another break on to a passing forehand winner to start the third set, but Shelton put up a heroic fightback to break back for 4-all and even generate a set chance in the tenth game.
On his way to a valiant hold, Djokovic sent a crucial serve out wide, punishing Shelton for a careless subsequent game but faltering himself with the end in sight.
Before Djokovic pulled himself over the finish line and into a 36th Grand Slam final — in his 72nd major competition – Shelton saved a match point to break and push the set to a tie-break.
