Novak Djokovic crushes the hopes of 20-year-old Ben Shelton with a comfortable straight-sets victory which keeps him on course for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam I Watch the conclusion to the final Grand Slam of the year in New York - live on Sky Sports Tennis
Saturday 9 September 2023 14:02, UK
Novak Djokovic hung up the phone on young American Ben Shelton to reach his 10th US Open final and stay on target for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, playing in his 100th US Open singles match, has now reached all four Grand Slam finals this season for the third time in his career and 36th Grand Slam final overall with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory on a patriotic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"Look, these are the kind of matches and occasions that I still thrive on, that inspire me to wake up every day and work hard," Djokovic said.
"Grand slams are the most important, the ones that mean the most to me. Playing an American player is never easy and I had to hold my nerve. It was anybody's game at the end of the third set. I'm really pleased with this win today."
Already assured of returning to the top of the world rankings when they are updated after the tournament, Djokovic will continue the hunt for his 24th Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court's all-time singles record on Sunday.
A poor service game saw Shelton gift Djokovic a break in the first set with three unforced errors including an ill-advised drop shot.
The youngster saved four set points on his own serve and had a break-back point in the next but was unable to take it as Djokovic got the first set on the board in 34 minutes.
Shelton had flummoxed opponents in New York with his big serve but the 36-year-old Djokovic was able to harness his experience to neutralise the young American.
A double-fault gave Djokovic another break in the second as Shelton's unforced errors really began to pile up; by the end of the second set he had made 27 to Djokovic's nine.
Playing in only his seventh US Open singles match Shelton gave the New York crowd something to cheer in the third when he twice retrieved breaks and had a set point on the Djokovic serve.
It was quickly snuffed out, though, and Djokovic prevailed in the tie-break to book a 36th Grand Slam final - which is incredibly half of the majors he has competed in.
Djokovic will play the winner Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev who play for the right to meet the Serb in Sunday's final.
"I expect the toughest match of the tournament regardless of who's going to be across the net," Djokovic said.
"I've achieved a lot but I still feel I have something in my legs left. I still feel I have something left to give to the sport."
"It's a great number there on first serves won, 84 per cent for Djokovic but if you're limiting Ben Shelton with his firepower there to just 60 per cent of first serve points won - that emphasises how good a returner Djokovic is," Tim Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
"His unforced error count was much much lower. Inevitably Shelton is going to have to take more risks and that inconsistency was where Djokovic was able to take advantage in the important moments."
Martina Navratilova considers Djokovic to have the "perfect formula", saying: "He has always been professional in his approach to the game from when he was eight and that hasn't changed. He wants to improve, still wants to achieve more and the consistency that he brings to the sport will not be surpassed.
"That's how he plays the game as well, very, very consistent.
"Novak has perfected peaking at the right time. He knows exactly what works for him, what he needs to do."
Tennis is back on Sky, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports' new mixed reality studio features multiple custom built LED screens, integrated light 'sabres', and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
With integrated AR capabilities, a versatile LED floor, and a 'fourth wall', the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive environment. Our tennis experts will take the viewer into the eyes of the players for expert Hawkeye analysis and insight as the tournament progresses.
The technology involved allows us to add an entire new dimension and will bring customers closer to the action.
Highlights of matches will be available across Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will also be available of the Sky Sports website and app, where there will also be a daily live text commentary on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as live scores, reports, analysis and features.
