Inspired Djokovic crushes Shelton's American Dream, secures US Open Final spot

Friday, 08 September 2023 at 23:56

Novak Djokovic defeated Ben Shelton in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 to reach the final of the US Open once again.

The North American advanced surprisingly from the Flushing Meadows semifinal by winning five matches, including victories over his compatriots, 14th seed Tommy Paul and 10th seed Frances Tiafoe.

In the semifinals, he faced 3-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, who was seeking his tenth final appearance in New York. Djokovic had a dominant quarterfinal win against Taylor Fritz and continued his success against a local player.

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Although Shelton started strong on his serve, he gave Djokovic an opportunity in the sixth game, and the Serbian quickly took the lead. Djokovic was up 5-2 and had four set points, but Shelton managed to extend the set to 6-3 in Djokovic's favor.

The North American suffered the consequences of his 15 unforced errors during the set, something that also plagued him in the second set, where he committed 12. Djokovic saved a break point early in the set and had no major difficulties with his service.

However, Djokovic put pressure on Shelton with his serve and secured two consecutive breaks to close the set with a commanding score of 6-2, making it seem like a straightforward affair for the new world No. 1.

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Djokovic won nearly 60% of the points played during the first two sets and didn't give Shelton any room with his service.

At the start of the third set, Djokovic's superiority became evident as he broke Shelton's serve and took a 2-0 lead in just a few minutes. 'Nole' had a 4-2 lead but dropped his level in the latter part of the set, giving Shelton a chance to compete in crucial moments. The American had a set point at 5-4 with his opponent serving, but he couldn't convert it.

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Djokovic managed to break in the next game and served to win the match at 6-5, but Shelton rallied just when the match seemed over. Djokovic wasted a match point and dropped his service for the second time, giving the opportunity to decide the set in a tie-break.

The North American's hope ended in the third-set tie-break, where Djokovic once again prevailed in the crucial points, closing the match 6-3, 6-2, 7-6.

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Pure resilience 👏 @DjokerNole reaches the final at all four majors in the same year for the third time in his career! @usopen | #USOpen

9:56 PM · Sep 8, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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