Djokovic said: “I’m in the semi-finals, so that’s what matters for me the most; to be able to play as well as I did in fourth round and today in the quarterfinals for at least a couple of sets”.
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“In this stage of the season, considering some physical issues I have had in the last month, month and a half, this was the scenario that I needed and I wished for”, said Djokovic on Tuesday night. “As [the] tournament progresses, I feel like I’m getting better”.
“I know Jo for a long time, we grew up playing in the junior circuit as well”.
The Serbian world No. 1 next faces another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, for a place in Sunday’s final after the 10th seed pummeled compatriot Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
“I thought that I came out with the right intensity”.
At the US Open Gael demonstrates a strong, aggressive tennis, winning all five of their matches with the score 3: 0, in every game the Frenchman was head and shoulders above their opponents. “That’s the position where I want to be”.
It has been an unusual tournament for Djokovic who has played only two full matches.
When the draw first came out, Djokovic faced the prospect of having to beat three former Open champions to win the title: 2014 champ Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals, two-time victor Rafael Nadal in the semis and 2012 champion Andy Murray in the finals. Pouille had stunned Rafael Nadal in the pre-quarterfinals.
Djokovic came to NY with question marks, having lost in the third round at Wimbledon and the first at the Olympics while battling a nagging left wrist injury.
“He seems more focused at this time of his career. That says a lot about the level he’s on”.
“He’s better player than me, definitely”, said Monfils who has yet to drop a set but hasn’t faced a seeded player.
The 92nd-ranked Konjuh hadn’t been past the third round at a major before this tournament. Murray meets Kei Nishikori Wednesday in the quarterfinals, with the Scot crushing Nishikori only last month at the Olympics.
It was the first time in 89 years that three Frenchmen had reached the quarter-finals of the US Open.
The other men’s quarterfinal pits 2009 victor Juan Martin del Potro against twice grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
Djokovic is 24-10 all-time against Murray, having won five of the last six.
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He can become Asia’s first Grand Slam men’s singles champion while the title would net him a windfall of $3.5 million. “You know, I’m really looking forward to come out on the court on Friday in semifinals”.
