Novak Djokovic, who defeated Alexander Zverev (4e), Friday in New York, opened the doors of a Grand Slam, qualifying for the final of the US Open where the Russian Daniil Medvedev (2e).
“These are the times we live for. This is the kind of unique opportunity we dream of when we are looking for motivation. I’m going to play the next game as if it was the last of my career, ”reacted the Serbian after winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6 and 6-2.
This performance that he can achieve has not been successful since Rod Laver in 1969, who is now 83 years old and was present in the stands of the Arthur-Ashe stadium. The Australian has seen the world number 1 walk a little more in his footsteps, and the latter could even bring to 21 the record for the number of major titles collected by a single player, overtaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
So now “Nole” is just one step away from achieving a monumental feat, certainly the greatest in the history of the Open era, for men. If he succeeds, the 34-year-old Serb will no longer be able to be challenged, in terms of the record at least, the status of “GOAT” (greatest of all time, or, in French, greatest player of all time) of tennis.
Valorous Zverev
“More than one game. I’m going to put my heart, my soul, my body and my head into it, ”he promised.
In the meantime, Djokovic has tied yet another Swiss record, advancing to his 31e Grand Slam final. He also became the oldest US Open finalist since Andre Agassi – who had achieved the feat at 35 in 2005 -, perhaps waiting to become the oldest winner since Ken Rosewall – who had achieved this round. by force at 35, in 1970.
Before taking on Zverev, the Serb, rightly expecting “a tough battle”, warned that he would be “ready to face him in five sets, five hours, whatever it takes” , ensuring to be the best in such matches.
He proved it, even if the fight lasted less than expected, since he won in 3:33.
After the loss of the first set, Zverev showing solid on his entry and aggressive, Djokovic reacted immediately, as in the previous laps where he had also had to go up the slope. And it was not this fabulous point, finally lost after 53 strokes, which was going to prevent him from pocketing the third round.
The German, led in his turn (two rounds to one), did not let himself be disconcerted, certainly remembering the scenario of the semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics, where he had reversed the situation against Djokovic, for ultimately winning the gold medal. And he managed to tie two innings everywhere.
Since his victory in Japan, Zverev has lined up 16 victories, winning the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. A series that ended there, because the nO World 1 has further raised his level of play in this fifth round where he feels so strong.
Ovationed by the crowd at Arthur-Ashe stadium
He took his opponent by the throat, helpless, who hardly saw the games and ended up 5-0. Valorous, the German has broken once, showing courage and talent in other sumptuous exchanges that will have delighted the crowd of the Arthur-Ashe stadium.
But Djokovic, as the only champion that he is, did not let him hope for one more moment and forced fate, receiving in the ear, during a huge ovation from the public, words certainly respectful from his rival.
He will therefore be opposed to Medvedev, who easily qualified for his second final at Flushing Meadows by setting aside by a mark of 6-4, 7-5 and 6-2 the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (15e).
“If I get there, I’ll probably be somewhere in the history books as having been the one who didn’t let him,” he stressed, promising to “give it my all” on Sunday.
However, the Russian, beaten in 2019 in this stadium by Rafael Nadal after an epic fight in five sets, has energy to spare, because he passed his turns in less than 2 hours on average.
But he knows that the last time they faced each other was in the final of the Australian Open, and “Nole” then folded the case into three rounds, without frowning.
The latter then began – perhaps without knowing it – his greatest march towards history.
