Novak Djokovic earned himself one other shot at a record-equalling twenty fourth Grand Slam title after beating unseeded American Ben Shelton in straight units on Friday to advance to his tenth US Open remaining. Djokovic ended the run of the 20-year-old Shelton, successful 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) to arrange a possible repeat of his Wimbledon remaining towards Carlos Alcaraz, who faces Daniil Medvedev within the different semi-final. “Another Grand Slam final. I cannot be happier with where I am,” stated Djokovic, who signed off victory in his a centesimal US Open match by imitating Shelton’s hang-up-the-phone celebration.

“I expect the toughest match of the tournament for me, regardless of who’s going to be across the net.”

The 36-year-old Djokovic is making an attempt to develop into the oldest males’s champion in New York within the Open period, which might additionally see him match Margaret Court’s all-time mark for many main singles titles.

The Serbian, who will return to primary on the planet after the event, has now received 22 of his final 23 Grand Slam semi-finals. He captured the final of his three US Open titles in 2018.

Djokovic has reached the ultimate in any respect 4 majors in the identical yr for the third time. He will attempt to declare three Grand Slams in the identical season for the fourth time in his profession.

“These are kind of matches and occasions that I still thrive on, that still get me going, inspire me to wake up every day trying to work as hard as the young guys,” he stated.

“Grand Slams are the ones that count the most in our sport. They are the ones that motivate me the most to be able to play my best tennis.”

Consistent Djokovic too robust

Facing Shelton for the primary time, with the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium closed because of the menace of rain, Djokovic landed the primary blow by breaking for a 4-2 lead within the opening set.

Shelton confirmed large grit to avoid wasting 4 set factors on his serve at 2-5, carving out some extent to interrupt again the subsequent recreation just for Djokovic to see out the set on the fifth time of asking.

The world quantity 47 pushed a forehand large to current Djokovic with two break factors at 2-2 within the second set, coughing up an premature double fault to once more reward his rival the higher hand.

Djokovic pressed house his benefit with a second break and surged two units clear after Shelton buried a backhand return into the online.

A passing forehand winner gave Djokovic one other break to open the third set, however Shelton put up a late act of defiance to interrupt again for 4-all and even conjured a set level within the tenth recreation.

Djokovic produced a clutch serve out large on the best way to a battling maintain, punishing Shelton for a sloppy ensuing recreation however then stumbling himself with the end in sight.

Shelton saved a match level to interrupt and ship the set to a tie-break earlier than Djokovic hauled himself over the road and right into a thirty sixth Grand Slam remaining.

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