Novak
Djokovic playfully mocked
Ben Shelton's phone celebration after defeating him
and securing a place in the 2023
US Open final.
The
36-year-old Serbian faced off against the young American sensation, 20-year-old
Shelton, who had surprised everyone by reaching the semifinals with victories
over Pedro Cachin, Dominic Thiem, Aslan Karatsev, and then his compatriots Tommy Paul, and Frances
Tiafoe.
Shelton had
used his trademark phone celebration multiple times during the week, but
against Djokovic, the story took a different turn.
The 23-time
Grand Slam champion asserted his dominance right from the start of the match
and only faced a real challenge in the latter part of the third set.
Djokovic
had a commanding lead of 6-3, 6-2, 4-2, and it seemed like the end was near.
However, Shelton put up strong opposition, breaking Djokovic's serve three more
times, extending the set to a tie-break.
Ultimately,
Djokovic prevailed, winning the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). Amidst the celebration
of his victory, 'Nole' playfully imitated Shelton's phone celebration, making a
"hangs up the phone" gesture after his comfortable victory.
"Novak Djokovic hangs up the phone on Ben Shelton after beating him at the US Open,"
Despite the
defeat, Shelton can take away positive outcomes from his journey through
Flushing Meadows, as he will climb to world No. 19 starting on Monday, breaking
into the top 40 for the first time.
As for
Djokovic, he now awaits his opponent in the final, which will be determined in
the match between the 2021 US Open champion and world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz,
and world No. 3, Daniil Medvedev.
The Serbian
will be vying for his fourth US Open title, which could also mark his 24th
Grand Slam victory, further distancing himself from Rafael Nadal's 22 and
equalling the all-time record set by Margaret Court with 24 Slams.