No. 2 Murray, coming off winning Wimbledon and the Olympics, both for a second time, was set to meet No. 6 Kei Nishikori in Wednesday’s afternoon quarterfinal.
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In the semifinals US Open-2016 Serb Novak Djokovic will play against Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Meanwhile, another world class player Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka will also seem to book their place in the US Open semifinals by beating their opponents in the quarter-final clash.
“Considering some physical issues I have had in the last month, month and a half, this was the scenario that I needed and I wished for”.
“I still believe and feel like I’m one of the top players and grinding my way back, so that’s why I’m saying for me right now the ranking is just a number”. “That’s the position where I want to be”.
The extra rest has proven timely for Djokovic, who arrived in NY nursing injuries to both his left wrist and right elbow. Tsonga condemned twice on the opening point of the third set before eventually retiring with a knee injury in the quarterfinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Although Tsonga contributed to his own downfall with 19 unforced errors in the first set, Djokovic had good reason to be happy with his own game.
“I can only wish all of my opponents a speedy recovery”, Djokovic, who next faces another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, told reporters. Regardless, he’s feeling better than he felt when the tournament began 10 days ago and now he’s just six sets from a 13th career Grand Slam.
The 24-year-old Czech came into the U.S. Open with the distinction of being the only woman in the top 20 to never reach a Grand Slam round of 16. Come on. To be honest, am I going to hurt myself for people? No. “I knew it was over for me straightaway”, Tsonga explained afterwards, “because when I have my knee, it’s already tough to play against one of the best tennis players”. So I think it was just a good memory. I’m very grateful that I had a bit of time to recover.
Monfils is on an impressive 19-2 run since Wimbledon but admits he’s the underdog against Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion playing in a 10th successive semi-final in NY.
Djokovic has made the semi-finals here for the 10th year in a row.
In the women’s section, Caroline Wozniacki’s dramatic resurgence continued when the former world No.1 defeated a hobbling Anastasija Sevastova to reach a fourth semifinal. Then in the third round, Mikhail Youzhny called it quits with a hamstring injury while behind 4-2.
Might he not be a little undercooked if one of his two remaining matches turned into a marathon?
Sevastova’s movement was clearly affected by her injury and there were times when she appeared to be on the brink of tears. By Friday, Djokovic will have completed just one full match in an 11-day span.
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“I’d say Novak would be the favourite”, said Murray.
