Novak Djokovic overcomes Ben Shelton to reach US Open final

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, celebrates after winning a match against Ben Shelton, of the United States, during the men’s singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK–Novak Djokovic used his experience to overcome American Ben Shelton as the Serbian battled past his 20-year-old challenger 6-3 6-2 7-6(4) to reach his 10th U.S. Open final on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.

Shelton had flummoxed opponents in New York with his big serve, but the 36-year-old second seed Djokovic was able to harness his experience to neutralize a third-set surge from the young American.

He next faces third seed Daniil Medvedev, who later ousted defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, in the final.

“Obviously I knew that he’s got a lot of firepower. He has an amazing pop on the serve, he’s just so dynamic and very unpredictable what comes next,” said Djokovic. “I just had to stay there mentally, present, calm, and focus on the game plan.”

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.

Shelton handed Djokovic a break in the sixth game of the first set with a series of unforced errors, and the unseeded American was unable to convert his own break point chance in the ninth.

In the second set, Shelton’s best weapon failed him as he helped Djokovic secure a break with a double fault in the fifth game and he dropped his racquet in frustration as he sent a forehand out to hand the Serb another break in the seventh.

Djokovic was competing in his 47th major semi-final while Shelton was appearing in his first. The difference in experience was apparent as the second seed broke Shelton with a fine forehand winner in the opening game of the third set.

Novak Djokovic, right, of Serbia, shakes hands with Ben Shelton, of the United States, after winning their match during the men’s singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

But the American came to life late as he fended off a break point with a 143-mph (230-kph) ace in the fifth game to a chorus of cheers from the home crowd.

Playing in only his seventh U.S. Open singles match, Shelton triumphed in a 30-shot rally before converting a break point in the eighth game, humbling Djokovic, who was appearing in his 100th singles match at the hardcourt major.

Djokovic broke again in the 11th game but could not stop the set from going into a tiebreak as he swatted one into the net to allow Shelton to break back in the 12th game.

Novak Djokovic says he still has plenty left 👀 pic.twitter.com/LstgGbgAAN

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023

The Serb forced Shelton into a forehand error on match point and made a not-so-subtle jab at the American’s favored celebration as he mimed answering – and hanging up – the telephone while walking to the net.

“At 36, every Grand Slam final, yeah, I don’t know, could be the last one,” Djokovic told reporters.

“I probably value these occasions and opportunities to win another slam as more than I have maybe 10 years ago, because 10 years ago I felt like, ‘Hey, I still have quite a few years ahead of me’. I don’t know how many I have ahead of me now.”

Shelton said he was taking lessons away from the tournament in what he can achieve.

“I learned a lot about myself these two weeks, knowing how, you know, deep I can go, how deep I can dig,” said Shelton.

“I kind of found a place where I can operate and still be calm and still be clear-minded but be a fierce competitor.”

The match was played under increased security after a bizarre incident on Thursday night, in which a protester glued his feet to the floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium, forcing a nearly one-hour stoppage of a semi-final match between American Coco Gauff and Czech Karolina Muchova.