US Open: Djokovic too strong for Zverev approaches "Grail"

"These are the times we live for."

Just after his victory over Alexander Zverev (4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2), Novak Djokovic did not hide his emotion at being at the gates of a historic event for the world tennis.

“These are the kind of unique opportunities we dream of when we're looking for motivation.

I'm going to play the next match as if it was the last of my career, ”even continued the Serbian.

Is @DjokerNole the most mentally tough player in tennis history?

He takes us inside the 🧠 of a legend.

pic.twitter.com/AiUfGDQYDT

- US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021

This performance that he can achieve has not been successful since 1969 and Rod Laver, now 83 years old, who was present in the stands of Arthur Ashe.

The Australian thus saw the world No.1 walk a little more in his footsteps, also moved by the possibility of bringing to 21 the record for the number of major titles collected by a single player, thus surpassing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

So here is "Nole" more than a walk to achieve a monumental feat, certainly the greatest in the history of the Open era, for men.

If he succeeds, the 34-year-old Serb will no longer be able to be challenged, in terms of the record at least, the status of "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time, greatest player of all time) of tennis.

“More than one game.

I'm going to put my heart, my soul, my body and my head into it, ”he promised.

31st Grand Slam final for Djoko

Meanwhile, Djokovic has tied yet another Swiss record, advancing to his 31st Grand Slam final.

He also became the oldest US Open finalist since Andre Agassi, 35 in 2005, perhaps waiting to become the oldest winner since Ken Rosewall, 35 in 1970. Before taking on Zverev , the Serbian, expecting, rightly, "a tough battle", warned that he would be "ready to face five sets, five hours, whatever it takes", ensuring to be the best in such matches.

He proved it, even if the fight did not last as long, since he won in 3:33. After the loss of the first set, Zverev showing himself to be solid on his entry and aggressive, Djokovic reacted immediately, as in the previous laps where he had also had to recover this handicap. And it was not this fabulous point, finally lost after 53 blows on both sides, which was going to prevent him just behind from pocketing the third round.

The German, led in his turn, two races to one, was not disconcerted, certainly remembering the scenario of the semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics, where he had reversed the situation against Djokovic, s' thus paving the way for a gold medal.

And he managed to tie two sets everywhere.

Since his victory in Japan, Zverev has lined up 16 victories, winning the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati.

A series that ended there, because the world No. 1 further raised his level in this 5th round where he feels so strong.

Medvedev, "the one who did not let him"

He took his opponent by the throat, helpless, who hardly saw the games and ended up 5-0. Valorous, the German has broken once, by showing courage, and talent, in other sumptuous exchanges which will have regaled the Arthur Ashe. But Djokovic, the only champion that he is, did not let him hope for one more moment and forced his destiny, receiving, during a huge ovation from the public, words of respect certainly pronounced in his ear by his rival.

He will therefore be opposed to Medvedev, who easily qualified for his second final at Flushing Meadows by eliminating 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (15th).

"If I get there, I'll probably be somewhere in the history books as having been the one who didn't let it happen," he stressed, promising to "give it my all" on Sunday.

But the Russian, beaten in 2019 at this stage by Rafael Nadal after an epic fight in five sets, has energy to spare, because he passed his turns in less than two hours on average.

But he knows that the last time they met, it was in the final of the Australian Open and "Nole" had then folded the case in three sets, without batting an eyelid.

The latter then began, he perhaps knew, his greatest march towards history.