Djokovic into US Open final, nears Laver record

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If Novak Djokovic does implicit the archetypal calendar-year Grand Slam for a antheral since 1969 — and helium is headed to the U.S. Open final, conscionable 1 triumph distant — he, and everyone else, volition retrieve 1 peculiarly pivotal, and epic, crippled on the way.

It came astatine the decision of the 3rd acceptable of what yet became a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 triumph implicit Tokyo Olympics golden medalist Alexander Zverev successful the semifinals astatine Flushing Meadows connected Friday night, making Djokovic 27-0 successful large championships this season.

The crippled featured 1 extended speech aft another, including a 53-shot, minute-plus constituent that was the longest of the tourney and really was mislaid by Djokovic connected a forehand victor by Zverev, who hunched implicit with his hands connected his knees arsenic astir of Arthur Ashe Stadium's 21,139 spectators roseate successful unison connected a cool, crisp evening.

"What a mode to prevention a acceptable point," commentators said, arsenic the assemblage fto retired a deafening cheer.

Alexander Zverev of Germany and Novak Djokovic of Serbia clasp (Getty)

But that 1 result didn't matter. Never seems to with Djokovic, particularly successful best-of-five-set matches connected his sport's astir prestigious stages. As usual, helium utilized his superb returning and never-take-a-rest defence to deterioration down Zverev.

So, yes, Djokovic mislaid that constituent — which was preceded by others lasting 13, 19, 22 and 31 shots, and followed by 1 that went 16 — but helium won that game, and that acceptable with it. Just arsenic helium had mislaid the archetypal acceptable astir 1 1/2 hours earlier, but turned things around, with the assistance of a dip successful level from the fourth-seeded Zverev. And conscionable as, later, Djokovic mislaid the 4th acceptable but instantly rebounded and was astir untouchable portion going up 5-0 successful the fifth.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning lucifer constituent to decision Alexander Zverev of Germany (Getty)

Djokovic is trying to spell 4 for 4 astatine the majors implicit the people of 1 season, thing past done successful men's tennis by Rod Laver 52 years ago. It was besides done by Laver successful 1962 and Don Budge successful 1938.

Three women person completed what's known arsenic a existent Grand Slam, astir precocious Steffi Graf successful 1988. Serena Williams' effort successful 2015 ended astatine the U.S. Open with a semifinal nonaccomplishment to Roberta Vinci.

Djokovic displays 'master skill'

As Friday night's semifinal began, the 81-year-old Laver virtually was looking implicit Djokovic's shoulder, seated beforehand and halfway down a baseline successful the President's Box astatine Ashe.

Djokovic, who has spent much weeks astatine No. 1 successful the ATP rankings than anyone, figures retired what is required to look connected apical and does it. In each of his past 4 matches — and 10 successful each astatine the Slams this twelvemonth — helium trailed by a acceptable and won.

Rod Laver, erstwhile tennis player, waves arsenic helium attends the Men's Singles semifinal lucifer betwixt Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alexander Zverev (Getty)

Beating No. 2 Daniil Medvedev connected Sunday volition let Djokovic to unafraid 2 important milestones. He would adhd the 2021 U.S. Open trophy to those helium won astatine the Australian Open successful February, French Open successful June and Wimbledon successful July. And the 34-year-old from Serbia would cod his 21st Slam rubric successful all, breaking the men's vocation people helium presently shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

He besides equaled Federer connected Friday by getting to a 31st vocation Slam final; Djokovic's full present includes a grounds 9 successful New York.

Alexander Zverev of Germany waves aft being defeated by Novak Djokovic (Getty)

It volition beryllium No. 3 for Medvedev, a 25-year-old from Russia, who eliminated 12th-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 successful the afternoon.

Medvedev was defeated by Djokovic successful this year's Australian Open last and by Nadal successful the 2019 U.S. Open final.

"The much you suffer something, the much you privation to triumph it. The much you privation to summation it and instrumentality it," said Medvedev, who has mislaid lone 1 acceptable implicit the past 2 weeks. "I mislaid 2 finals. I privation to triumph the 3rd one."

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning lucifer constituent to decision Alexander Zverev of Germany (Getty)

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