Novak Djokovic shrugs off spirited Shelton challenge to reach his tenth US Open final

Novak Djokovic ended Ben Shelton‘s wonderful run to the last four of the US Open, beating the young American 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) to reach the final in New York. This task proved a step too far for the 20-year-old Atlantan, as an ice-cool and consummately professional display from Djokovic ensured there were no shocks on Day 12 of this year’s US Open.

Djokovic has now equalled Bill Tilden’s record of ten US Open finals, and will be aiming for his first title at Flushing Meadows since 2018, and a fourth overall.

The Serb has also extended his astonishing record in Grand Slam semi-finals to 26-2 across his past 28 last four appearances. Djokovic has reached the final of all four Grand Slams in one year for the third time in his career – having also done so in 2015 and in 2021, when he was one match away from the calendar Grand Slam. It is a run that has also seen him reach the final in all five of the last five Grand Slam tournaments he has played.

On Sunday, a win will see him equal Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

The gulf in experience was evident, and was always going to be a defining factor in the contest. Shelton was playing in just his seventh US Open match, while Novak was appearing in his 100th in another stiflingly humid atmosphere under the roof of Arthur Ashe.

Another large part of the problem for Shelton was his understandable over-eagerness to puncture Djokovic’s iron-clad defence early in the rally, leading to a build-up of unforced errors, instead of drawing the Serb into extended exchanges. In such sapping conditions, the younger man may well have had the physical edge if some of those quick-fire, first-strike attempts at a winner had been played with more restraint.

Djokovic also found weaknesses in his opponent’s serve. All of which made things very difficult for Shelton from the off.

First set gets away from Shelton

All went smoothly on serve for Shelton until the sixth game of the first set, with Djokovic adjusting his tactics on the return, standing further back behind the baseline – especially on the second serve – to give himself more time to soak up the power coming off the young American’s racquet.

The change of tactics worked perfectly for the world No 2, breaking Shelton on his first break point before consolidating with a statement hold to love as he moved into a 5-2 lead.

This formed the start of a nine-point winning streak for the Serb, as he then moved 0-40 up on Shelton’s serve to generate three set points.

The American showed great composure to stop the rot and save all three break points with some precision-point serving, before saving a fourth break point later by charging the net to volley away the danger, having pinned Djokovic deep in the deuce-court corner.

Another bullet-like serve got the 20-year-old through the game for a thoroughly impressive hold under pressure.

Shelton then had a golden opportunity to restore parity, navigating his way to a break point as Djokovic was serving for the set. Up until that game, Novak had won 100% of the points behind his first serve, before it started to falter at the set’s finish line. After making an excellent first serve return deep into the court, the American was in prime court position to get on top of the rally, but hit a routine forehand into the net.

It was a let-off that wouldn’t go unpunished by Djokovic, who duly served out the game to take the opener 6-3.

Shelton shackled by Djokovic’s returning

A pumped-up Shelton grabbed the attention of a subdued Arthur Ashe crowd by saving break point and serving out the hold in emphatic fashion to get the second set off to a compelling start.

But Djokovic struck again in the fifth game, after a loose service game from Shelton got the American into trouble at 15-40. He was able to save one break point, but an ill-timed double-fault handed the break to the Serb who then consolidated with little trouble to move 4-2 up.

A lengthy seventh game followed, with Shelton valiantly fending off two break points before the unrelenting pressure from Djokovic took its toll, the Serb earning the double break at the third time of asking following an eight-minute game.

Djokovic then held to move into a commanding two-set lead. After 78 minutes, the 23-time Grand Slam champion looked imperious – he had hit just nine unforced errors, was unbroken and just one set away from yet another championship match.

A gripping and competitive third set gets rouses the Arthur Ashe crowd

Shelton left the court at the end of the second and returned looking determined to make something of the match. But an immediate break for Djokovic left the situation looking beyond desperate for the young American.

All then went on serve until the eighth game, as Shelton finally made inroads into the Djokovic serve, tightening up the unforced error count by drawing the world No 2 into more extended rallies. This proved a wise change of tactic, with Shelton coming out on top of a stunning 30-shot rally to earn a first break point in the set, before taking his only break of the match so far as a forehand from the Serb sailed wide.

Shelton then consolidated the break back with a superb service game that brought the Arthur Ashe crowd to their feet. The young American hit a blistering forehand winner down the line that was reminiscent of a vintage Rafael Nadal, and then sent down two serves exceeding 140mph to nudge 5-4 ahead.

The match suddenly had a completely different complexion to it, as Shelton applied the scoreboard pressure on Djokovic to earn another break – and set – point.

Novak held firm, however, to avert the danger and move the scores level at 5-5, before another loose service game from Shelton handed the break back to Djokovic once more.

But Shelton was not going down without a fight. Having saved two break points, Djokovic then saw a match point go begging as he hit a forehand just wide.

The American seized his opportunity as another unforced error from the world No 2 brought up the break and took the third set into a tiebreak.

It was a thoroughly impressive fightback from Shelton, twice recovering from the brink to force a breaker.

But tiebreak king Djokovic was in no mood for a fourth set.

He quickly moved into a 5-1 lead. Despite a brief surge from Shelton to move within one point of Novak at 5-4, the Serb powered home to take the breaker 7-4 and reach a 36th Grand Slam final.

“First to acknowledge the crowd. You guys were amazing, thanks for coming out. I appreciate your support for both players,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview following the win.

“These are kind of matches and occasions that I still thrive on, that still get me going, inspire me to wake up every day trying to work as hard as the young guys. Grand Slams are the ones that count the most in our sport. They are the ones that motivate me the most to be able to play my best tennis.

“I cannot be happier with where I am.”

When asked about what he expects in the final, Djokovic replied, “I expect the toughest match of the tournament for me, regardless of who’s on the other side of the net.

“Both of them are amazing players. They are in great form. Daniil won against me in 2021 final and he’s been probably one of the most consistent players here in the past few years.

“Then you have Carlos and what he has achieved for only 20 years of age is incredible. He’s an amazing player. It’s going to be an enjoyable match for me to watch with my feet in the air and popcorn and some good drinks.”

Shelton announces himself while Djokovic’s enduring quality astounds

It is important to note just how much of a novice Ben Shelton is to the tour. The 20-year-old only received a passport this year so he could play in the Australian Open, where he reached the quarter-finals. Prior to this season, he had also never played on either clay or grass, which explains his rather patchy results between the two hard-court swings in Australia and the US.

Shelton’s run to the last four of his home Grand Slam is a superb achievement, and one that will lay the foundation for many future successes.

He is a strong indication that American men’s tennis appears very much to be heading back to the glory days, following a lean couple of decades.

As for Djokovic, there are no superlatives left. Arguably the greatest player we have yet seen in the sport continues to break records at the age of 36.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion will be crowned the world No 1 once again next Monday, and he may very well do so having just equalled the all-time major record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles – currently held by Margaret Court.

He will have to get through Daniil Medvedev to reach that number after Medvedev upset Alcaraz in four sets in Friday’s nightcap.

But regardless of Sunday’s result, at this point in time, after such a staggeringly incredible career, the fact that Novak Djokovic continues to dazzle may be the most amazing thing a player in this sport has achieved.