NEW YORK-Novak Djokovic’s unusual US Open path took another odd turn Friday as the defending champion defied stultifying humidity and the controversial tactics of Gael Monfils to book a title showdown with Stan Wawrinka.
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Wawrinka advanced to his third Grand Slam final, defeating 2014 U.S. Open runner-up Kei Nishikori 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
In the other semi-final Kel Nishikori is taking on third seeded Stan Warrinka.
“It was tough conditions, it was really hot and humid so I knew it would be tough”, two-time Grand Slam victor Wawrinka said. “I know it’s not good, but I made a sign to my coach and say, ‘OK, I’m going to Plan B, actually, ‘” Monfils said.
It was just one of many twists in turns in a truly weird match, one Djokovic would eventually win, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, after 2 hours 32 minutes in a match that left many confused – and some enraged – by the time it had ended.
“I think everything I do in my life I try to have fun and I try to be creative on the tennis court, outside the tennis court”, explained Monfils. “I try my best”.
Novak Djokovic remained on course for a third Grand Slam title of the year by beating Gael Monfils in four sets to reach the US Open final.
Wawrinka’s triumph at Roland Garros was the only time Djokovic has lost a major final in his last seven appearances at that stage and the 31-year-old may need a performance of similar magnitude if he is to manage a repeat.
A jittery Monfils poked successive double faults to donate the break and a 2-0 lead. Down 2-0 the match was over, but Monfils came back in stunning fashion winning five straight games and eventually the set, prompting Djokovic to rip his shirt.
“I’m very sad to hear that”, Monfils told reporters after hearing of McEnroe’s criticism of him.
Monfils tested the patience of both Djokovic and the fans with a display of tennis that swung wildly from dynamic to indifferent as he tried to “get inside” the Serb’s head.
“It wasn’t easy but if I could have won the last few matches a little easier I could have had more chance today and maybe reach the final”.
“As I always say, the change is guts… Definitely, I tried to get in his head and create something new for him to see”.
A more orthodox approach saw Monfils break back for 2-2 and again for 4-2 in a third set that saw Djokovic receive treatment on his left shoulder. In this tournament alone, he’s played a staggering 23 sets and 237 games.
The Japanese player appeared to be suffering for his four-hour quarter-final win over Andy Murray but he recovered from 4-1 down in the third to level, with play interrupted briefly as rain forced the roof to be closed.
In both of Wawrinka’s championship runs in majors – at the 2015 French Open and the 2014 Australian Open – the Swiss beat Djokovic along the way.
“Kei is a tough player and he played well from the beginning”. Monfils won five consecutive games, including one spectacular point in which he took a long run to get to a short ball, then reversed direction for a leaping volley victor.
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“To be in the final again is something insane”, Wawrinka said.
