Novak Djokovic defeats Ben Shelton in straight sets, advancing towards a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam victory.
Novak Djokovic reached his 10th US Open final and is on track to win his 24th Grand Slam title after ending a phone call with American player Ben Shelton.
Novak Djokovic’s recent win in the US Open has solidified his impressive record of reaching all four Grand Slam finals this season for the third time in his career. This victory marks his 36th Grand Slam final overall, as he dominated the match with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) win on the iconic 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.”
Novak Djokovic is poised to reclaim the top spot in the world rankings and is determined to secure his 24th Grand Slam title, a feat that would equal Margaret Court’s record.
Shelton’s poor service game resulted in Djokovic gaining an advantage with a break in the first set, thanks to multiple unforced errors and an ill-advised drop shot.
The young player fought hard, saving four set points and having a chance to break back, but ultimately Djokovic won the first set in 34 minutes.
Djokovic’s experience helped him neutralize Shelton’s big serve, despite his opponents’ flummoxing tactics in New York.
Novak Djokovic capitalized on his opponent’s double-fault and unforced errors, securing a break in the second set. Shelton’s mistakes accumulated throughout the match, with 27 unforced errors compared to Djokovic’s nine.
Shelton gave a strong performance in his seventh US Open singles match, impressing the New York crowd with his ability to retrieve breaks and even having a set point on Djokovic’s serve.
Novak Djokovic won the tie-break and secured his spot in the 36th Grand Slam final, an impressive achievement considering it accounts for half of the majors he has participated in.
Novak Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in the 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.”
Shelton vs Djokovic: Tale of the Tape
| Shelton | Match Stats | Djokovic |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Aces | 5 |
| 5 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 60% | 1st serve win percentage | 84% |
| 47% | 2nd serve win percentage | 34% |
| 21/39 | Net points won | 23/26 |
| 2/6 | Break points won | 5/14 |
| 30 | Total winners | 28 |
| 43 | Unforced errors | 25 |
| 89 | Total points won | 112 |
World of sports 
Leave a comment