US Open: Novak Djokovic completes the semi-finals after a fight

Novak Djokovic has completed the semi-finals of the US Open 2018. The former world number one defeated Australian John Millman in three sets and will meet Kei Nishikori on Friday.

John Millman’s chances of success against Novak Djokovic after his Monday evening coup against Roger Federer were modest from the outset. In fact, the Australian delivered a strong performance – but in the end there was no real chance of the next sensation.

Djokovic missed numerous break chances, but only got really embarrassed once on his own serve. And won after a playing time of 2:49 hours with 6:3, 6:4 and 6:4.

The high humidity provided also in the last night session for the gentlemen for bizarre scenes: So Millman asked his opponent at 2:2 in the second set for an unscheduled break to change his clothes. They were soaking wet. Djokovic had nothing against it, quite the contrary, the favourite had to fight just at this time with large physical problems.

Djokovic had a new electrolyte drink brought to him during the spontaneous break and gradually found his physical form again. In contrast to Roger Federer, he was more focused in the decisive phases: The Swiss had missed a simple volley to lead 2-0 in the second set at 5-4 and 40-15 on the monthg, while Djokovic put the ball safely into the field in a similar situation.

In the third set, as at the beginning of the match, the Serb managed an early break. In the sixth game, Djokovic then received two timeout warnings, lost concentration for a moment and gave up his first serve. Djokovic regained the break for 5-4 and then served for victory.

In his eleventh consecutive semi-final in New York, Novak Djokovic will face Kei Nishikori on Friday. The Japanese defeated Marin Cilic in five sets in a re-run of the 2014 US Open final. That year Nishikori had defeated Djokovic in the semi-finals.