“I have a second opportunity to get to my first slam final, and the opportunity to maybe beat him for the first time on the main tour, to beat the world No. 1”.
Advertisement
The form book suggests Djokovic will face second-ranked Andy Murray – tennis’ most in-form player – in Sunday’s final.
When the draw first came out, Djokovic faced the prospect of having to beat three former Open champions to win the title: 2014 champ Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals, two-time victor Rafael Nadal in the semis and 2012 champion Andy Murray in the finals.
“I feel really sorry for her as I have had that injury before”, said 26-year-old Wozniacki, who will now return to the top 30 as a result of her surprise run in NY. “That’s the position where I want to be”.
Djokovic came to NY with question marks, having lost in the third round at Wimbledon and the first at the Olympics while battling a nagging left wrist injury.
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’m in the semi-finals, so that’s what matters for me the most”, Djokovic told reporters. To get the job done, the Swiss produced his best form of what had previously been a largely underwhelming showing in NY.
“I know Jo for a long time, we grew up playing in the junior circuit as well”.
Djokovic has been reluctant to discuss the impact of his physical problems and when asked if his peak referred to fitness or form he said: ” I’m reaching my peak in terms of my form”. But I managed to overcome them and those extra three or four days really served me well. I’m very grateful that I had a bit of time to recover.
Gael Monfils has been all business in reaching the US Open semi-finals, but the flashy French player scoffs at the idea he’s damped down the showmanship on objective.
Djokovic has made the semi-finals here for the 10th year in a row.
While Djokovic hasn’t had to meet a Grand Slam champion yet in this tournament, three major champions are slugging it out on the other half of the draw.
The Serbian, who was gifted a walkover in the second round and a retirement after six games in the third round, was leading the match against Tsonga, 6-3 6-2 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The two matches continued a run of one-sided contests in the night sessions.
“I think one of the most important things for a player is this freshness of the mind, of the body, and just having that right supply of substance in your body and the enduring strength that you need, the speed, the alertness”, he said.
Sevastova’s movement was clearly affected by her injury and there were times when she appeared to be on the brink of tears.
Advertisement
Latest results from the 2016 US Open quarterfinal matches played on Tuesday, Sep 6, as No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki advanced. “I kept serving well and made her run”, she said.
