On a remarkable Friday, September 8th, Novak Djokovic showcased his prowess by securing a spot in the final of the US Open 2023, following a dominant performance against Ben Shelton that culminated in a straight-set victory. The Serbian tennis legend, displaying his exceptional skills on the hallowed grounds of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, orchestrated a match lasting two hours and 41 minutes, ultimately triumphing with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (6-4). This victory marked a monumental achievement for Djokovic, propelling him to his 36th Grand Slam final—an illustrious record, surpassing that of any player in the Open Era.
Notably, this match marked a significant milestone for Djokovic, as it was his 100th appearance at the US Open, an event he ensured would be etched into the annals of tennis history. The resounding cheers of the crowd echoed in acknowledgment of his 87th victory in men's singles at Flushing Meadows. With this impressive feat, Djokovic now stands at the cusp of another momentous showdown, poised to face the victor of the eagerly anticipated clash between Daniil Medvedev and the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in the final.
Should Djokovic cross paths with Alcaraz in the final, it would set the stage for a captivating rematch of their encounter at the Wimbledon 2023 final—an epic five-set duel that saw the Spaniard emerge victorious. Djokovic's dominance in major tournaments was further underscored, with an astonishing 257-1 record in matches where he secured the first two sets.
In his contest against Shelton, Djokovic exhibited his command right from the outset. Despite Shelton's valiant attempts to adopt an attacking approach, it proved insufficient to thwart Djokovic's march. The opening set witnessed Djokovic seizing an early break, establishing a 4-2 lead, before efficiently closing out the set in a mere 34 minutes. Although Shelton displayed resilience by saving a break point, it ultimately fell short in the face of Djokovic's relentless determination.
The second set unfolded with Djokovic maintaining his dominant form. He swiftly secured an early break, placing the young Shelton under considerable pressure. At 4-2, Djokovic further capitalized on his advantage, ultimately serving out the set without encountering significant resistance.
In the third set, Shelton presented a glimmer of hope by attaining a 40-15 advantage, poised to claim the opening game. However, Djokovic, with his trademark brilliance, thwarted Shelton's aspirations, stringing together four consecutive points to secure a critical break of serve. At 3-4, Shelton finally managed to secure his first break of the match, leveling the score at 4-4, thereby preserving his hopes of advancing to the final.
The set remained fiercely contested, with Djokovic finding himself facing a set point at 4-5, 30-40. Displaying unwavering resolve, he averted this precarious situation, drawing level at 5-5. Djokovic then proceeded to secure a pivotal service break, exemplifying his unyielding composure in high-pressure scenarios. Serving to clinch the match, Djokovic encountered two break points but held firm, ultimately earning a match point.
Yet, Shelton summoned extraordinary resilience, defying Djokovic by saving the match point and breaking his opponent's serve, thereby forcing the set into a gripping tie-break. Djokovic initially surged ahead, leading 5-1 in the tie-break, only for Shelton to rally, claiming three consecutive points to narrow the gap to 5-4. However, Djokovic, with nerves of steel, secured his second match point at 6-4 in the tie-break, and this time, he did not falter, sealing the match with poise and precision.
