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Angelique Kerber wins US Open women’s title
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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But when trailing 2-0 and a break down in the third set, the impressive Monfils suddenly reappeared and he went on to take the set as Djokovic ripped his shirt and stalked the court. He’ll seek his third major championship Sunday against the top-ranked Djokovic, who he defeated at Roland Garros in 2015.
Facing an opponent who occasionally played as if he had somewhere better to be, Novak Djokovic reached his 21st Grand Slam final and seventh at the U.S. Open with a freaky 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Gael Monfils on Friday. Yet Monfils was always behind on the scoreboard and never seemed likely to outlast one of the game’s greatest competitors. I think I try my best every time.
Ultimately, Djokovic prevailed in four sets.
A ridiculous get: This is what separates Djokovic from the field: In the fourth game of the fourth set, Djokovic sprinted forward to collect a Monfils drop shot, then raced back to the opposite corner. “Yes, I’m competing”, Monfils said, cursing for emphasis.
“Then somehow I had this small opportunity and I took it, and then I think the crowd was much better”. “I knew it would be tough”, said Wawrinka. “And the only reason I say bordering is because it’s working”.
“Do you think the strategy to upset Novak didn’t work?”
Monfils said: “I won’t win a match like that but I can win maybe 15 minutes, maybe two more games, one more game”.
This time, Monfils was leaning over and using his racket like a cane for support between points in the third and fourth sets.
Djokovic admitted there were stretches in which Monfils’ unconventional approach got on his nerves and threw him off his game.
As far as tennis matches go, what transpired on Friday was one of the strangest, weirdest, and most bewildering experiences ever.
“He dictated play early tonight, put pressure on me and gave me no time”, Wawrinka said.
Monfils was noticeably lethargic and began loosely patting balls back into play as if entirely disinterested in making a comeback.
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.
Explaining why he played in such a “crazy” way, Monfils said he was still trying to win, but in a different way.
The No. 3 seed Wawrinka has come back after dropping the opening set of his semifinal against No. 6 Kei Nishikori 6-4 on Friday night, taking the next two 7-5, 6-4 by breaking in the last game of each of those sets. “But when the guy is too good, you change”.
Monfils staved off three Djokovic break points in the fourth set’s second game, then got a backhand victor that barely hopped over the net – prompting Monfils to bend and kiss the top of the net – and the show was on.
“I had to wait and fight and make him a bit uncomfortable and he started to get exhausted”. When he broke back to get to 2-all, he raised his right fist and the fans roared, now backing him.
Although Djokovic holds a 19-4 record over Wawrinka, including two victories since that Roland Garros surprise previous year, Wawrinka welcomed the chance to take him on again. And then he comes to the net. That saw Djokovic tear off his shirt in frustration, with Monfils his usual self attempting to amuse himself and the crowd. “So I have an extra day now to recover and get ready for the finals, which is definitely where I desire to be when I come to a Grand Slam”.
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But it didn’t work in the long run as Djoko broke for 3-2 in the final set and then again to keep his dream of a third US Open alive.