The US Open semi-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils was perhaps the most entertaining match in recent times.
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Novak Djokovic wins the fourth round of the US Open 2016 tournament against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today. Nishikori, whose 2014 NY campaign made him the first player from an Asian country to reach a grand slam final, where he fell to Marin Cilic, lost serve three times in the final set to end the three hour, seven-minute match. Djokovic is aiming to win his 13th Grand Slam singles title while Wawrinka is hoping for his maiden United States open and his third overall. “He actually likes playing in big matches”.
Nishikori, coming off his own five-set quarter-final triumph over world number two Andy Murray, seized the initiative with a near flawless first set. “I think that was really working for him”.
Jean Gachassin, head of France’s tennis federation and normally passionate in supporting French players, was left shaking his head in disbelief at Monfils’ performance.
“And then just that service game on 5-1, that’s when it started. And I try my best”.
“I just tried to little by little play a little bit better, a little bit faster, a little bit heavier”.
“That’s a little bit tough because for sure people aren’t ready to see that”. I was feeling uncomfortable on the court. This was never more evident than when Nishikori hit a power-sapped 77 miles per hour first serve in the third set.
“I thought, at times, that he was maybe behaving a little bit – for some terms and judgments – unacceptable”, Djokovic said. He loves to come up with a variety in his game, and the defense shots.
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.
Monfils said afterward that it was a “great strategy” on his part, but acknowledged, “You just don’t want to see it”.
“It’s really humid, really hot”. Monfils at times seemed uncaring about the outcome of the 2 1/2-hour match, hitting slices or making truly half-hearted, half-swinging strokes.
“I know I have some up and down during the year”, Wawrinka said afterward. “I have a good game, but I still have much work ahead and I must get down to it quickly”.
The No3 seed, who saved match point with a forehand volley victor against Britain’s Dan Evans in the third round, has spent more time on court than anyone at this year’s US Open.
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“It’s not easy when you have to play number two, number three and (number one) Novak was waiting in the finals”.
