The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsNovak Djokovic has reached the final of the US Open, as the world number one overcame humid conditions and at times an unsettling opponent to defeat Gael Monfils 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2. The Serbian dominated the early parts of the match as Monfils struggled, and despite the Frenchman even adopting slow play tactics in the rallies and giving no pace to his opponent, Djokovic handled it to swiftly open up a two set lead. However, Monfils battled back with attacking tennis to recover from a break down in the third before extending the match, but Djokovic held off his opponent in the fourth set to eventually prevail in a rather strange encounter.
In the opening set, Monfils made a nervous start and a costly double fault handed Djokovic the early break, which the Serbian quickly consolidated for a 3-0 lead. The Frenchman continued to struggle with his erratic display and soon enough, he conceded his serve again with another double fault to allow Djokovic to build an unassailable 5-0 margin. However, as Djokovic served for the set at 5-1, the Frenchman’s lack of effort appeared to distract the Serbian enough to allow Monfils to somehow stave off set points before claiming one break back. The Frenchman reduced the deficit to 5-3 and even held more break points, but Djokovic regrouped and saved them before eventually wrapping up the set.
As the second set unfolded, both players held their first service games but the Frenchman’s peculiar strategy was not effective enough, and Djokovic capitalised to seize the early break. The world number one held his serve and then continued his solid tennis to strike again in the following game, seizing the double break when Monfils pushed a backhand wide. The Frenchman’s ill advised tactics of luring his opponent into no rhythm rallies was still proving to be unsuccessful as the world number one easily opened up a 5-1 lead. Even though Monfils registered one more game, the Frenchman’s mystifying display was starting to get booed by the crowd, whilst Djokovic cruised through another service game to seal the set and establish a two set cushion.
In the third set, Monfils still was unable to gain a foothold into the contest much to the crowd’s displeasure, and another double fault from the Frenchman was roundly booed as Djokovic was gifted the early break. The world number one consolidated the break but Monfils reduced the deficit to 2-1 and then broke back in style, retrieving his opponent’s deep shot-making before running down to steer a passing shot beyond Djokovic at the net to inject new life into the contest. Monfils was beginning to dictate the rallies with his powerful groundstrokes as he quickly held his serve, before seizing another break when Djokovic fired a forehand wide. The Frenchman was growing in confidence and consolidated the break to go 5-2 ahead, whilst the world number one appeared unsettled by the fightback from his opponent. As Monfils served for the set at 5-3, the Frenchman gifted break points to Djokovic but the Serbian could not capitalise, as Monfils survived before pummelling a powerful backhand down the line that Djokovic couldn’t handle, to clinch the set.
The fourth set saw both players under pressure in their first service games, but they held on to keep the scoreline tight. However, at 2-1 up and sensing an opportunity, Djokovic set up more break points in incredible fashion with an audacious flicked passing shot winner whilst on the run. Even though Monfils saved one break point, the Frenchman conceded his serve after netting a forehand to give Djokovic the crucial break for a 3-1 lead. However, with both players now physically suffering from the sticky conditions, Monfils summoned enough strength to immediately break back when his opponent committed a double fault. But, the Frenchman could not level the scoreline as his erratic shot-making and inconsistency enabled Djokovic to regain the break, which this time he consolidated for a 5-2 lead. With Monfils tiring and seemingly having nothing left, the world number one remained solid enough and Djokovic slammed a forehand return winner past a motionless Monfils to wrap up the win and secure his place in the final.
In the final, Djokovic will meet Stan Wawrinka as the Swiss battled back from a set and a break down to eventually defeat 2014 finalist Kei Nishikori 4-6 7-5 6-4 6-2.
On the women’s side, Karolina Pliskova pulled off a major shock as the Czech produced a high quality performance to stun Serena Williams 6-2 7-6, ending the American’s reign as world number one and hopes of achieving a 23rd grand slam title. As a result, Angelique Kerber will become the new world number one and she will also meet Pliskova in the championship match, as the German saw off Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 in the other semi-final.
