Serbian triumph 6-3, 6-2 and 7-6(4) against Shelton
MADRID, 9 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic reached his tenth final of the US Open this Friday, the fourth ‘Grand Slam’ of the year and which is being played on a hard court in New York (USA), after winning 6-3, 6- 2 and 7-6(4) to the young American Ben Shelton.
On the court of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, after two hours and 42 minutes of play, Djokovic earned his ticket for the final match for the title. If he obtains it next Sunday, against the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz or against the Russian Daniil Medvedev, he would add the fourth US Open title to his very extensive and brilliant record of achievements.
But until he reached that stage, in the semifinals he had to deal with the new prodigy from the United States. In the first set, neither the Serbian nor Shelton gave up space with their service turns. He soon brought out the local tennis player’s prodigious left-handedness, although in the sixth game he faltered.
Djokovic then broke (4-2) and was very close to repeating it in the eighth (5-3), wasting four set points. Despite everything, with his serve he did close the first set right after. Shelton did not give up at the beginning of the second set, saving a 30-40 that could have complicated the company.
Of course, the Balkan showed patience to break in the fifth game (3-2) and also in the seventh (5-2). Again with his own turn of service, the one from Belgrade won the set without any trouble. To make matters worse, he broke at the start of the third round and immediately consolidated his advantage.
Despite having the score in their favor, the Belgrade native gave in in the eighth chapter (4-4). That gave wings to his young opponent, who took a 4-5 lead to the delight of the stands and then enjoyed a fruitless 30-40 in the tenth (5-5). After wasting that set ball, ‘Nole’ smelled blood and broke him (6-5).
With the audacity of youth, the barely twenty-year-old Shelton saved a match point from the rest (6-6) and forced sudden death. However, it turned out to prolong the agony, as ‘Nole’ quickly took a 3-0 lead in that tie-break and accelerated to secure the victory (7-4).
Djokovic has now won 31 in a row, including the one achieved this Friday, against players of American nationality. It will be the tenth final for him at the Flushing Meadows facilities, pursuing what would be his fourth New York crown and number 24 in total.