'Utter brilliance': Fans react to insane Novak Djokovic display
Tennis fans were left in absolute awe by Novak Djokovic's brilliant turnaround to progress to the US Open semi-finals over Italy's Matteo Berrettini.
The Serbian world No.1 dropped the first set to Berrettini, but from then on it was pure Djokovic dominance as he registered a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win to set up a semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev.
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It was the third time this year, and on the third different grand slam surface, that Djokovic has triumphed over Berretini, having also banked wins over him at the French Open and Wimbledon.
The victory also brought Djokovic one step closer to the prized calendar grand slam feat, with the Serbian star having already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
Just as he did in the Wimbledon final, Djokovic had no problem turning around the match against the No. 6-seeded Italian after dropping the first set.
Making almost every service game difficult for the No. 6 seed, Djokovic accumulated 16 break points, converting five.
Djokovic will now prepare to face Zverev in their second tournament final in as many months, with the German having toppled Djokovic in the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics to deny him the ultra-rare golden slam.
The World No.1 can join Rod Laver as the only male players to achieve the feat, with Aussie great Laver doing so for the second time in 1969.
Djokovic would be the first player ever to achieve the fabled feat on three different surfaces.
Fans couldn't believe what they were seeing as Djokovic easily turned around what loomed as a challenging match against Berrettini.
Novak Djokovic plays *by far* his best match of the tournament, beats Matteo Berrettini 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the #USOpen. Unplayable in the last three sets. 3h28.
42nd Grand Slam SF.
He looks ready for some history. pic.twitter.com/5NW9rfUCwK— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 9, 2021
By far the best #USOpen performance from Djokovic, including the first high-quality set in which he let some chances slip. Takes out Berrettini 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-3. Next up: Zverev.
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) September 9, 2021
26 down. Just 2 to go.
Djokovic defeats Berrettini 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
Will face Alexander Zverev in a rematch of the Olympic semifinal in the US Open semis. Zverev in the form of his life but Djokovic is in close range of something extraordinary#grandslam pic.twitter.com/0QmXycvuLU— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 9, 2021
Magesteeeerial Djokovic!!! His vision and perception is so astounding,he probably wishes the court was a mile long😊 What a player!
🃏 #Djokovic @DjokerNole #DjokovicBerrettini— Ray Hudson (@RayHudson) September 9, 2021
I hope tennis and sports fans are appreciating what we're seeing right before our very eyes with Novak Djokovic.
This is tennis on a whole other level, as he's chasing history that hasn't been achieved in 52 years.
We may never see something like it again. #USOpen— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) September 9, 2021
Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 2-0 Matteo Berrettini.
The perseverance, followed by the defiance, followed by the utter brilliance, is something to behold. #USOpen— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 9, 2021
Djokovic - won his last 26 Grand Slam matches
Zverev - won his last 16 matches
They face each other on Friday— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 9, 2021
Zverev to serve up true test for Djokovic
Zverev extended his winning streak to 16 matches to seal a return to the semi-finals of the US Open, where he looms large as a potential roadblock to Novak Djokovic's bid for a calendar-year grand slam.
A 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-4 victory over unseeded South African Lloyd Harris leaves Zverev one win away from returning to a second consecutive final at Flushing Meadows, and another shot at a first career major title after losing to Dominic Thiem last year.
But he will have to do something no player has achieved in 2021 for that right, beat world No.1 Djokovic at a slam.
The path to what would be a record 21st major title has become very steep for the history-hunting Serb, who toughed it out after going behind to Wimbledon finalist Berrettini with Zverev now waiting in the wings.
"He is the best player in the world," said Zverev, who beat Djokovic in the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics to end his bid for the golden slam (Olympic gold and all for majors in the same year).
"He is very difficult to beat."
Harris stepped out onto Arthur Ashe stadium court oozing energy, looking as if he had performed on tennis's biggest stage many times before.
He had good reason to be confident having defeated Olympic silver medallist Karen Khachanov, Denis Shapovalov and Reilly Opelka on his way to his first career major quarter-final.
But no player in New York has been riding a bigger wave of momentum than fourth-seeded Zverev, who came into the contest on a career-best 15-match winning streak.
With AAP
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