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Djokovic reaches US Open final
High of 89. An evening shower forced the roof to close during the Wawrinka-Nishikori match.
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September 10, 2016: Caribbean-roots, French-born tennis pro, Gael Monfils, fought hard yesterday – through hot and humid conditions and against the world’s number one in the semi-finals of the 2016 U.S. Open that he managed to reach again for only a second time.
However, he was unable to replicate that excellent performance against Wawrinka, who will now face Novak Djokovic in the final.
Stan Wawrinka, of Switzerland, reacts after winning the third set against Kei Nishikori, of Japan, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, in NY. Unfazed by the news, the German then went out and won the second semifinal to advance to her third Grand Slam final of 2016. Djokovic lost his cool and ended up providing Monfils a way back into the set, before eventually winning it 6-3. But according to the Serb, his ambition entering this tournament was more modest.
“Sometimes you don’t have an answer to these kinds of questions”, Djokovic said.
But toward the end of that set Monfils started bending over at the waist and showing signs that he was either ill or struggling with his fitness.
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts to the crowd during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament against Gael Monfils, of France, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, in NY.
But Djokovic became unnerved and let Monfils come back to within 5-3.
Gael Monfils reacts after loss against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Men’s Singles Semifinal Match on Day Twelve of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2016 in the Flushing, Queens.
The match began predictably, and depressingly, enough for Monfils.
Djokovic defeated Monfils 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to reach his 21st Grand Slam final.
“The conditions were different from most of the days during the tournament but it was the same for both players”, said Djokovic.
Never more so than on this muggy afternoon, with the temperature at 90 degrees and the humidity above 50 percent.
When Djokovic promptly broke Monfils’ serve to start the third, the lack of a Monfils challenge had the demanding Ashe crowd loudly booing.
“It seemed, at times, you were having problems competing”. Monfils smiled as Djokovic double-faulted to hand him the break.
Down a set and a break Friday, the third-seeded Wawrinka took control to oust Kei Nishikori 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
Djokovic raced to 5-0 in only 16 minutes as Monfils looked far too casual on the return. During points, Monfils would hit slices or make halfhearted, half-swinging strokes, then occasionally wallop a 100 miles per hour passing shot.
Monfils said afterward that it was a “great strategy” on his part, but acknowledged, “You just don’t want to see it”.
“I can push him a little bit to defend, also [give] myself more confidence, and put him out of his balance”.
Somehow, the tactic was effective, for a short while, anyway. “I was completely caught off guard when he just stood there and chipped the ball back and didn’t do much [at 5-0 in the first]”.
But when trailing 2-0 and a break down, the player who reached the semi-finals without dropping a set suddenly appeared as Monfils battled back to take the third set.
Prodded by reporters about what he thought of the way Monfils played, Djokovic said, “I thought, at times, that he was maybe behaving a little bit – for some terms and judgments – unacceptable”.
“I guess I’m working, I’m learning”. I’m sorry if you think I’m unprofessional.
Djokovic entered Friday having enjoyed the easiest path to a major semifinal in the almost half-century of the Open era: Three of his first five foes pulled out of because of injuries. And then he comes to the net. Novak held on and then broke Monfils to wrap up the game, the set, and the match.
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The history books will record that Djokovic cut the Frenchman down 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 but that is only the cover of the book.