Both Monfils and Djokovic cramped significantly in the fourth set and called for visits from the ATP trainer amid the hot and humid conditions.
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A trainer works on the left shoulder of Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament against Gael Monfils, of France, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, in NY.
Now, it is all about the two in the final, and while Djokovic will start as the favourite, world number one will be a little concerned, considering the last time these two met in a Grand Slam final, Wawrinka played the match of his life to lift the French Open title.
In a freaky first set, Djokovic raced to a 5-0 lead in just 15 minutes where his only challenge came from the stadium TV lights which he claimed were distracting.
In an error-filled game, Monfils managed to scrape back one of the breaks with help of three double faults from an out of sorts Djokovic.
Asked about Friday’s second semifinal, a tired Djokovic said: “I’m going to take a lot of water, put my son to sleep if I can and then watch a little bit of that”.
Although Djokovic holds a 19-4 record over Wawrinka, including two victories since that Roland Garros surprise past year, Wawrinka welcomed the chance to take him on again. That was the momentum shift when I lost my service game.
“Definitely I tried to get into his head”, said Monfils. “I’m at my best, actually”.
After defeating Monfils, Djokovic has played only 13 sets and a total of 118 games. It happened again in the third set, when Monfils’ quirky behavior drove Djokovic to tear off his shirt after the final point. “I think the crowd enjoyed it in the end”.
The Women’s Singles Final between soon-to-be world number one Angelique Kerber and Karolina Pliskova will be played late tonight. “Now I know him a little bit better”, Siegemund said during the trophy ceremony. “I got a little bit of my instinct and flair”.
“When I try to play original tennis, that’s where he kills me”. “I take another t-shirt from my bag and I already feel better”.
McEnroe said: “Monfils is bordering on unprofessional”. McEnroe called him “unprofessional”. But I guess I’m working, I’m learning.
The American later added: “You can’t support that, I’m sorry. It doesn’t bring much respect among fellow players in the locker room, none”. But Monfils held there to 5-1, then transitioned into what either appeared to be an attempt to “tank” – in other words, lose on objective, for who knows what reason – or the tennis equivalent of a “rope-a-dope”, in which he wanted to appear not to be interested in defending against Djokovic but then would whip a big shot of his own. “She doesn’t give you anything”.
“I have a great partner”.
“I’m competing, you know”.
Sweet summer, nonetheless: Monfils, 30, finishes his hard-court season with a 19-3 record, also losing to Djokovic in the Toronto semifinals and to Kei Nishikori in the Olympic quarterfinals.
The 29-year-old arrived in NY with niggling injuries to his left wrist and right elbow but claimed he is not concerned ahead of the final.
Asked what worries he might have about his health, Djokovic replied, “Thankfully, it’s behind me”.
Monfils, playing in only his second grand slam semi-final after making the last-four at the 2008 French Open, theatrically hobbled off the court and was booed. He started playing aggressive.
When Monfils dumped his eighth double fault to gift wrap the break at the start of the third set incited the wrath of the crowd, which jeered and booed the man who has been a beloved competitor in NY.
Monfils forced a fourth set, and Djokovic ripped off his white shirt angrily a la “The Incredible Hulk”.
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Told about McEnroe’s comments, Monfils says he’s “very sad to learn that such a legend (would) criticize me, because at the end what I can say to John is, ‘You know, John, I want to be the best”.
