(New York) Daniil Medvedev, winner in 2021, eliminated Spanish title holder Carlos Alcaraz on Friday in the semi-finals 7-6 (7/3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 after a very spectacular match and will meet Novak Djokovic in the final.
At 27, Medvedev will try to win his second Major after depriving Djokovic of the calendar Grand Slam in the final at Flushing Meadows in 2021. He has since replayed two finals at the Australian Open, lost to Rafael Nadal in 2021 and Djokovic in 2022.
PHOTO MIKE SEGAR, REUTERS
Daniel Medvedev
Novak Djokovic is back in the US Open final for 10e time, after beating American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) on Friday.
Djokovic, 23 times major tournament champion, missed the tournament last year because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.
PHOTO COREY SIPKIN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Novak Djokovic
Shelton made things interesting in the third inning.
The 20-year-old American broke Djokovic’s serve twice, even getting a set point at 5-4 and erasing a match point.
PHOTO FRANK FRANKLIN II, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ben Shelton and Novak Djokovic at the end of the duel
“The third round could have gone one way or the other,” summed up the Serb.
After the tiebreaker, Djokovic imitated Shelton’s celebration where he mimed emphatically putting down the handset of an old-fashioned telephone, to celebrate a victory.
It was former hurdler Grant Holloway who inspired Shelton to do this. After the match, the latter said he was not bothered by the imitation made by Djokovic.
“I don’t like going on social media and having people tell me what I can or can’t do to celebrate,” Shelton said. I think if you win, you deserve to do what you want. When I was younger, I learned that imitating something is the most sincere way to offer a compliment. That’s all I have to say about that. »
PHOTO FRANK FRANKLIN II, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ben Shelton
Djokovic will be looking for a fourth title at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
At 36, he would be the oldest winner of the modern era (starting in 1968).
“These are the kinds of matches and occasions that motivate me,” Djokovic said. These are the things that make me motivated to get up and go play, like the youngest.
“I still believe I have it in me. I still believe I can give something to this sport. »
Known for his powerful serves, Shelton was limited to five aces, in addition to suffering five breaks.
He started the match with 76 aces in the New York tournament, a record.
Djokovic played a 100e match at the US Open, Shelton a seventh. Last year, he celebrated an NCAA title with the University of Florida.
With a victory on Sunday, Djokovic would surpass Serena Williams for the most major singles tournaments won in the modern era.
Even if he loses, Djokovic, second in the world, will regain the top of the world rankings on Monday.
