UNITED STATES: Novak Djokovic defeated American Ben Shelton in his 10th US Open final, overcoming a powerful serve. Djokovic, a second seed, used his experience to prevent Shelton from making a comeback in the third set, advancing to his 10th US Open final.
Novak Djokovic will face third seed Daniil Medvedev in the next match, which will determine his next opponent. Djokovic believes Medvedev has a dynamic and unpredictable style, making it difficult to predict his next move. He aims to win his 24th Grand Slam victory to tie Margaret Court’s all-time singles record and is likely to reclaim the top spot in the global rankings after the tournament.
Ben Shelton’s unforced errors in the first set gave Novak Djokovic a break, and he failed to convert his first breakpoint opportunity in the ninth game. In the second set, Shelton gave Djokovic a break with a double fault, and he dropped his racquet in annoyance, giving him another break in the seventh game.
Shelton, in his first major semifinal, faced Djokovic, who was playing in his 47th. The second seed broke Shelton with a forehand winner in the third set. However, Shelton finally got going in the fifth game when, to the roar of the home fans, he saved a break point with a 143 mph (230 kph) ace.
In his seventh US Open singles match, Shelton defeated Djokovic in his 100th singles match at the hardcourt major, winning a 30-shot rally and converting a break point in the eighth game.
Novak Djokovic broke in the eleventh game, but a tiebreak allowed Shelton to break back. On match point, Djokovic forced Shelton into a forehand error and mocked his celebration.
Shelton expressed gratitude for the opportunity to win another grand slam, comparing it to ten years ago when he believed he had many more years to achieve. He claimed the competition taught him about his potential and helped him understand his depth of understanding. Shelton found a balance between calmness and competitiveness, proving he could still excel in his chosen sport.
The match was played with extra security following an unusual incident on Thursday night, when a protester stuck his foot to the Arthur Ashe Stadium floor, forcing the suspension of an American Coco Gauff versus Czech Karolina Muchova semifinal match for over an hour.
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