After 128 Men started only four remain, and at the conclusion of the 2018 US Open on final Sunday, could we be looking at a first time Grand Slam champion?
Djokovic’s path to the final is not as straightforward as it may seem
I think for a second, we need to take a step back and soak up Novak Djokovic’s remarkable achievement in 2018. Talks of his demise have been greatly exaggerated, especially after his two losses in Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year while still not at 100%.
But the turnaround of events is beyond believable. He is now on the cusp of winning a second Major this year and even the ardent Djokovic supporters would not have contemplated that thought when he lost in the quarterfinals of French Open. So, for a moment we need to acknowledge his greatness on a tennis court, and his comeback has reinvigorated and provided some impetus in men’s tennis.
Djokovic’s quarterfinal win over Roger Federer’s conqueror John Millman means that he has now reached the last four at Flushing Meadows for an 11th straight appearance, surpassing both Federer and Agassi in the process. Only Jimmy Connors is ahead with 14. He will next take on Kei Nishikori, whom Djokovic has beaten in their last 13 matches.
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The Japanese, though, had inflicted Novak Djokovic’s most recent semifinal loss at the US Open. Back in 2014, the build-up to semifinals was how the projected men’s final between Djokovic and Federer could materialize. Instead, Nishikori produced a performance of breathtaking tennis in soaring heat to dethrone the Serb and become the first Asian man to reach a Slam final. A few hours later, Cilic stunned Federer to set up one of the least imaginable matchups in a Grand Slam final. Cilic went on to deny Nishikori the ultimate glory.
Nishikori has avenged his 2014 loss to Cilic battling from a set down to defeat the Croat in a dramatic five-set quarterfinal, and Djokovic would need to be wary. They say you can only beat what is in front of you, and Djokovic despite being unspectacular he has been very efficient considering the baking heat which has a drastic effect on his performance. Nishikori’s testing route to the semis will make him a very formidable opponent for the Serbian former No.1, and the Japanese man has a very realistic chance of upsetting Djokovic again.
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Del Potro Will Hope to Replicate His 2009 Form Against Nadal
Juan Martin del Potro’s 2009 US Open triumph will live long in fans’ memory, but there is no denying his domineering semifinal victory over Nadal that year is one of the unforgettable performances witnessed at the Big Apple.
The Tower of Tandil will have to replicate that similar sort of performance to oust the indefatigable Spaniard. Rafael Nadal has had a much tougher passage to the semifinals as he attempts to defend his US Open title. He showed his true fighting spirit coming back from the dead against Russian Karen Khachanov and more impressively against Dominic Thiem in five pulsating sets. Both Thiem and Khachanov served for a 2-0 sets lead, only to be thwarted by the World No.1.
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The Argentine may have to play in more aggressive style, perhaps better than 2009 to beat Nadal, which is measure of how high he has set the bar in 2018. Del Potro was at wrong end of an incredibly devastating loss at Wimbledon to Nadal two months ago. He will be desperate to the put the rights as he attempts to reach only his second career Grand Slam final. Novak Djokovic is one of only three men (including Marin Cilic at the Australian Open) to have beaten Nadal in 2018, and the only such player left in the draw.
Del Potro had announced himself as the coming man in tennis after beating Roger Federer in 2009, before his success was short-lived due to a succession of wrist injuries. If he goes on to record another victory over the Spaniard, we can safely say he is the most likely candidate to take the mantle from the “Big Three” this time round.
