So exhausted had the “Sliderman” been that at one point, drained from sweating and fatigue, the tall Frenchman paused play to order an aerated beverage on court. When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to one day be the No. 1 player in the world, to win Grand Slams, ” said Kerber, a 28-year-old German who will move up one spot from No. 2 and replace Serena Williams atop the WTA rankings on Monday. “So I went through it all”. It was a great theatre experience today.
Advertisement
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.
Kei Nishikori conceded his five-set battle with Andy Murray took its toll in his US Open semi-final defeat to Stan Wawrinka on Friday.
Although Djokovic holds a 19-4 record over Wawrinka, including two victories since that Roland Garros surprise previous year, Wawrinka welcomed the chance to take him on again.
Djokovic’s 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 victory on a sweltering, humid day in NY that left both players hunched over in the fourth set featured the world No. 1 playing a point with a ripped shirt and showman Monfils getting booed – perhaps a first in his career – for his antics.
And he was the stable one on court. More examples of playing possum?
Djokovic admitted there were stretches in which Monfils’ unconventional approach got on his nerves and threw him off his game.
“I’m competing, you know”.
“F***, yes, I’m competing”, raged Monfils. I hoped and believed that as I progressed in the tournament that things would get better, which they did. But the guy is too good. We both physically struggled a little bit towards the end of the third and fourth set, beginning of the fourth especially. “To change is guts, I show you that I play non-academic way”.
“And the only reason I say bordering is because it’s working”.
“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.
The present could not be brighter for the lefthanded Kerber, the first woman from Germany to win the US Open – and to get to No. 1 – since her idol and mentor, Steffi Graf.
After taking the third and breaking Nishkori at love for a 2-0 lead in the fourth, Wawrinka appeared to be on his way. Monfils finished with 11 double-faults and 52 unforced errors. Monfils returned the favour with all the love and it landed at 4-2 to the Serb, and the end was near for Monfils.
It looked lightweight but carried a mighty punch as the Frenchman saved four set points in the sixth and seventh games.
Monfils was noticeably lethargic and began loosely patting balls back into play as if entirely disinterested in making a comeback. That tank tactic helped him save three more set points then dragged Djokovic into the malaise as he double-faulted away the break. “Gael is very entertaining to watch, a very charismatic guy”. And after frittering away her first four break points, she converted her fifth with a lob-volley victor that curled over Kerber and alit right by the baseline.
Djokovic broke Monfils twice to take a 5-0 lead in the first set. A leaping Monfils banged a backhand down the line that collided with the tape, changed direction and plopped over. Djokovic just had to ensure that the rally went on for more than 5/6 strokes, and Monfils would self-destruct. Behind 5-2 in the third against Monfils, Djokovic got his left shoulder massaged.
“It’s part of the sport”.
“Humid. That’s all we were thinking about and feeling in the last couple of sets”, Djokovic said afterwards. “And then it was odd because maybe (fans) will listen to commentary and say I’m unprofessional, I’m poor whatever”.
“It was very quick to 5-0”.
“If I have a mic I would say to the audience stop saying that, I’m unprofessional”.
“I have a great partner. When I try a little bit to play “original” tennis, that is where he killed me”.
That jarring reception jolted Monfils into action. When he broke to get to 2-all, he raised his right fist and the fans roared, now backing him.
“I know what to expect”, Djokovic said.
Advertisement
That was not the only weird thing that occured during the match.
