New York: Novak Djokovic earned another shot at a record 24th straight Grand Slam title by defeating unseeded American Ben Shelton in straight sets on Friday to reach his 10th US Open final.
Djokovic ended 20-year-old Shelton’s run with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) win and set up a possible repeat of his Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz, who faced Daniel Medvedev. will be from Second semi-final.
“Another Grand Slam final. I couldn’t be happier with where I am,” said Djokovic, who returned to world No. 1 after the US Open.
“I expect myself to have the toughest match of the tournament, regardless of who will be at the net.”
Djokovic, 36, is looking to become the oldest men’s champion in New York during the Open era, in which he will also look to match Margaret Court’s all-time mark for most major singles titles.
The Serbian has now won 22 of his last 23 Grand Slam semifinals. He captured the last of his three US Open titles in 2018.
Djokovic has reached the finals of all four majors for the third time in the same year. He will attempt to win three Grand Slams in a single season for the fourth time in his career.
Facing Shelton for the first time with the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof closed due to the threat of rain, Novak Djokovic suffered the first blow by breaking from a 4-2 lead in the opening set.
Shelton showed great courage to save four set points on his serve at 2-5, setting up a comeback point in the next game for Djokovic to see out the set at the fifth time of asking.
The world number 47 fired a forehand to serve Djokovic at 2-2 in the second set with two break points, and coughed up an untimely double fault to gift his opponent again.
Djokovic pressed home his advantage with a second break and went two sets clear after burying Shelton’s backhand return into the net.
A passing forehand winner gave Novak Djokovic another break to open the third set, but Shelton broke late to break back to 4-all and take a set point in the 10th game.
Djokovic produced a clutch serve-out on his way to a fighting hold, punishing Shelton for a sloppy game but then tripping himself, resulting in a break.
Shelton saved a match point and sent the set to a tiebreak before Djokovic took himself to a 36th Grand Slam final on the line.
