World number one and defending champion Djokovic prevailed 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in a freaky semi-final that saw 10th-seeded Monfils roundly booed and accused of not trying. 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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In the semi-finals played under tough humid conditions, Djokovic defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to reach his seventh final at the event, while Wawrinka beat Kei Nishikori, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 to enter the US Open final for the first time.
“I have an extra day now to recover and get ready for the finals, which is, you know, where definitely I desire to be whenever I come to the Grand Slams”, said Djokovic, the No. 1 seed and defending champion.
Kerber is the first woman from Germany to win the U.S. Open – and the first to get to No. 1 – since her idol and mentor, Steffi Graf, who got in touch via text message before the final. It was, however, the former who managed a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 victory that saw him set up a title-clash with Stanislas Wawrinka.
It was Pliskova who guaranteed Kerber’s ascension in the rankings by beating Williams in the semifinals, ending her streak of 186 consecutive weeks at the top, which began in February 2013 and equaled Graf’s mark. For while No. 3 seed Wawrinka will be participating in only his third Grand Slam final, he won each of the other two.
Never a Grand Slam finalist before 2016, Kerber beat Williams for the Australian Open title in January, then lost to her in the Wimbledon final in July.
The latter quality was evident in his victory over Nishikori, who played a superb opening set and made the first break of the second, only to start struggling in the hard conditions and in the face of Wawrinka’s power. Plus, he has won each of his past 10 finals at all tournaments. He has needed treatment on his right arm during matches and in his semi-final twice sent for the trainer to massage his shoulders.
By the end of the second set, Djokovic looked certain to make it 13 consecutive wins over Monfils. “I tried to get in his head, to create something new for him”, Monfils said afterwards.
But from the outset of this final, it was Kerber who was in charge. “But I think that’s also her strength. He doesn’t get too stressed by the bigger occasion”.
Wawrinka said he would have to play his best tennis to beat Djokovic again.
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“I was really trying to (stay) in the moment”, Kerber said, “trying to play my game, being aggressive”.
