The last time they met in a major final was at the French Open 15 months ago and Wawrinka emerged victorious.
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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.
The post Wawrinka faces Djokovic in US Open final appeared first on News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
That gave a clear edge in the fourth set to Djokovic, who wrapped up the victory in two hours and 32 minutes even though he called for the trainer to receive treatment on his shoulder during the contest.
And he was the stable one on court. More examples of playing possum?
These would constitute new trouble spots for the Serb, who arrived in NY with concerns about his left wrist, then got treatment on his right elbow during his first- and fourth-round matches. There were moments in which it appeared that Monfils’ attempts to get into Djokovic’s head would succeed. “Fuck yes, I’m competing”. Is where I want to be the better player.
“When you change, you change with what you got”, Monfils said. I just have to change.
“I’m sorry if you think I’m unprofessional, but I guess I’m working, I’m learning. I do sincerely hope all you guys enjoyed our battle today”. And clubbing 52 unforced errors, as Monfils did in this match, is not a very good way to win friends and influence people. He let four set points get away. “I’m really excited. I watched the final so many times here”. Monfils is bordering on unprofessional.
He was even forced to save break points at 5-3.
It worked briefly as he retrieved three games but after dropping the second set, where he was broken twice more and was roundly booed, he reverted to a more traditional approach. A leaping Monfils banged a backhand down the line that collided with the tape, changed direction and plopped over.
On Saturday, Monfils was leaning over and using his racket like a cane for support between points in the third and fourth sets. Djokovic ran off eight straight points, breaking at love for 2-1 when Monfils netted a high volley.
Safe to say, nothing the rest of the way is likely to be as intriguing as Djokovic vs. Monfils.
Djokovic took the match 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 as the crowd fell in and out of love with the erratic play of Monfils. On a brutally humid day, he had no answers for the world No. 1 until the third set.
“It’s part of the sport”.
“Hopefully I will be ready and let’s see what will happen”. “I keep asking myself the same question”, he said, laughing.
“It was very quick to 5-0”. The guy is killing me. “He was plahing really good from the beginning, dictating, putting pressure on me”.
Gael Monfils to some is a quitter but to others the enigmatic Frenchman is a bold, unconventional thinker willing to try anything to get to his first grand slam final.
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That jarring reception jolted Monfils into action.
