Monfils lost in four sets 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 and got off to a bad start at 0-5 in the first set.
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The pre-match analysis focused on Djokovic’s troublesome left wrist, with the Serb reaching the last four unscathed after a second-round walkover and two further mid-match retirements. “It was a great theatre”.
“I always wish to get to the final match whenever I come to a Grand Slam”, Djokovic said, who is aiming to defend the title he won previous year after first winning it in 2011.
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.
“The change takes guts”. Wawrinka needed four sets to take out Juan Martin del Potro, a match ending in the early morning hours on Thursday. The guy is too good.
Win or lose, Djokovic will have secured his No. 1 ranking well into 2017 and cemented his standing as the best and most dominant player on the tour. Monfils erased it with an ace and on game point, chased down a volley and put it away easily to finally get a game on the scoreboard to start a weird switch of momentum. I think he’s a great person.
It was Djokovic who emerged with the set, however, and as the Serbian star raced through the second Monfils’s interest again appeared to wane. “Of course, I’m disappointed that I lost in the first round, but that’s sport and that always can happen”, Kerber said. “I’m at my best, actually”. I have nothing personal [with] him, so I’m very sad to learn that such a legend criticise me, because at the end what I can say to John is ‘I want to be the best.
“First question is, like, ‘You’re not competing?’. When I try a little bit to play “original” tennis, that is where he killed me”. “The guy is too good”, Monfils said of Djokovic. From 0-5, Monfils bunted and slashed and rope-a-doped his way back to 3-5, 15-40, with Djokovic serving. Djokovic also acknowledged the much improved showing of Monfils ahead of their semi-final clash.
“The 6’4” Frenchman’s astounding athleticism can make him a magical player, but his tendency to push and run rather than assert his gifts offensively can make him a maddening player as well. That’s a little bit tough because for sure people aren’t ready to see that.
Djokovic was the more energised, breaking for 3-1 in the fourth set before double-faulting for a sixth time to hand it straight back.
Kerber will be the new No.1 women’s player when the WTA releases next week’s rankings on Monday – as Serena Williams was defeated in the first semifinal of the US Open.
Then came this contest, which topped them all for oddness, drawing some jeers and whistles from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium: The 10th-seeded Monfils, normally a showman and in only the second Grand Slam semifinal of his career, seemed to just give up at times. Those boos intensified when he missed a forehand early in the third set and got even louder when he hit a double fault to drop serve. This is bordering on unprofessional.
Djokovic has hardly been tested in the ongoing tournament en route to the semi-final. Djokovic ripped his shirt open at the neck when it caught on the heart-shaped gold locket hanging around his neck. The Serb summoned all his energies to force three break points on the Monfils serve and with a 5-2 lead it was three chances for the match and a final spot.
A disgusted Djokovic, who channeled Andrew Ilie tearing at the neck of his white shirt, played the final point with the shredded shirt before completely tearing it off and taking more treatment.
“I tried to get inside Novak’s head”, he added.
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“It was my adductor”, Wawrinka said. Either way, the decision worked: Pliskova double-faulted on the match’s first point and got broken right from the get-go.
