Medvedev managed to qualify for the final as second. — © USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Novak Djokovic (ATP 2) reached the final of the US Open for the tenth time in his career on Friday. The 36-year-old Serbian defeated the American tournament revelation Ben Shelton (ATP 47) in three sets in his semi-final. He is accompanied in the final by the Russian Daniil Medvedev (ATP 3). He defeated the Spanish defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (ATP 1) in four sets in his semi-final.
Novak Djokovic (ATP 2) reached the final of the US Open for the tenth time in his career on Friday. The 36-year-old Serbian defeated the American tournament revelation Ben Shelton (ATP 47) in three sets (6-3, 6-2 and 7-6 (7/4)) in his semi-final. The match lasted two hours and 42 minutes.
Afterwards there was something to do around Djokovic’s celebration. He copied his opponent Shelton’s victory gesture, which was seen as ‘toxic’ by many online. However, the American put things into perspective. “If you win the match, you deserve to do what you want. As a child, I was always taught that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” Shelton said afterwards.
For Djokovic it will be his tenth final in New York on Sunday. He is aiming for a fourth overall victory. Last year, the Serbian was missing from Flushing Meadows after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
After the US Open, Djokovic will certainly take over first place in the ATP rankings from Carlos Alcaraz again and only lost two sets on the way to the final, both in a difficult third round against his compatriot Laslo Djere (ATP 38).
2021 reissue
Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the final. The 27-year-old Russian defeated the Spanish defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (ATP 1) in four sets (7-6, 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3) in his semi-final. When the match point was won, there were boos from the stands, but the Russian paid no attention and celebrated his place in the final.
Medvedev won the US Open two years ago, which is his only Grand Slam victory so far. Then he won the final against… Novak Djokovic. At the Australian Open he was a losing finalist twice (2021 and 2022).
