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Novak Djokovic is as good as it gets at 36! Novak is enjoying an incredible season at Majors, reaching all four finals for the third time in a career and matching Roger Federer’s record. The Open era has given plenty of incredible players, and only three have reached all four Major finals within a season.
Rod Laver did that in 1969, and Roger Federer joined the list with his incredible run between 2006 and 2009. Djokovic added his name to the charts in 2015, finally putting everything together and competing in all four Major finals.
The Serb repeated that six years later, chasing a Calendar Grand Slam in 2021 and missing it following the US Open final defeat! Novak missed two Majors in 2022 and was eager to show his true colors on the most notable scene in the current season.
Djokovic conquered the Australian Open and Roland Garros before losing the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz, ending his dreams about winning a Calendar Grand Slam.However, Djokovic will seek his 24th Major crown in New York after advancing to his tenth US Open final.
Novak survived a scare versus Laslo Djere and played well after that to book a place in his 36th Major final, extending his record. Djokovic met the young American Ben Shelton in the semi-final and produced a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 40 minutes.
Novak tamed Ben’s initial shot and built a massive advantage before the young gun bounced back in the third set’s second part. Djokovic defended a set point and clinched it in the tie break to complete the season’s Major finals.Shelton made too many mistakes, unable to hit more service winners or match the rival’s pace from the baseline.
Novak dominated after landing in the first serve, struggling on the second but defending four out of six break chances to reduce the damage. The Serb created 14 break chances and seized five, enough to emerge at the top in straight sets.
Djokovic tamed his strokes nicely and hit 28 winners and 25 unforced errors. Shelton sprayed over 40 mistakes, giving his everything but finishing on the losing side in his first Major semi-final. Novak made a strong start and grabbed a break in the encounter’s fifth game.
Shelton denied four set points in game eight and prolonged the set.
Novak Djokovic is the second player with four Major finals in three seasons.
The home star created a break chance in game nine, and Djokovic saved it to claim the opener 6-3 in 34 minutes.
The Serb dropped seven points behind the initial shot in the second set, breaking the American’s resistance in the second part and moving closer to the finish line. Shelton hit a double fault in the fifth game and pushed Djokovic 3-2 in front.
The young gun squandered game points at 2-4 and fell on the third break point after Novak’s great net coverage. Djokovic clinched the set with a service winner in game eight, opening a 6-3, 6-2 advantage in an hour and 18 minutes and marching toward the finish line.
The Serb passed the American at the net in the third set’s first game, landing a forehand winner to clinch a break. Shelton denied a break point in the fifth game, remaining within one break deficit. Ben finally showed more on the return in the eighth game, creating a break chance after Novak’s forehand error.Djokovic sent a backhand long to drop serve for the first time after two hours and one minute and bring the rival back to 4-4!
Ben held at 30 in the ninth game, playing with more energy and challenging Novak for the first time. Djokovic struggled again on serve in the tenth game, offering his rival a set point. He denied it with a powerful serve and held after two deuces to level the score at 5-5.
The more experienced player placed a backhand crosscourt winner in the 11th game, earning a break at 15 and serving for the victory at 6-5. Djokovic experienced issues again, presenting his rival two break chances.Novak denied them in style before squandering a match point.
Shelton seized the third break chance after Djokovic’s loose smash, sending the set into a tie break. Djokovic grabbed two mini-breaks and opened a 4-1 gap. A volley winner sent a three-time winner 5-1 ahead before the American pulled one mini-break back with a forced error.
Shelton climbed back to 4-5 after the opponent’s error before Djokovic earned his second match point after a great point at the net. Novak seized it and secured a place in the final, facing Daniil Medvedev en route to his 24th Major crown.
