US Open men's semi-final Highlights: Novak Djokovic beats Alexander Zverev to set up final against Daniil Medvedev

Quick look at what is on offer for Sunday: Djokovic vs Medvedev. World No 1 vs World No 2

[1] @DjokerNole vs [2] @DaniilMedwed will be 4th @USOpen men's final between Top-2 seeds of last 25 years (Djokovic 5-3 H2H).

2021: [1] Djokovic vs [2] Medvedev
2015: [1] Djokovic d. [2] @RogerFederer
2013: [2] @RafaelNadal d. [1] Djokovic
2011: [1] Djokovic d. [2] Nadal#USOpen

— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 11, 2021

Such drama in that match!

Legend status pic.twitter.com/M5gSwOB5Ee

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

Played 27, Won 27. One more to go!

Absolutely incredible.@DjokerNole #USOpen pic.twitter.com/SsvH8prVku

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 11, 2021

More stats from Djokovic’s win over Zverev

More @DjokerNole
* 17-1 in Grand Slam SFs since loss to @KeiNishikori at 2014 @USOpen
* 36-10 in 5th sets with 7 straight wins
* Oldest #USOpen men's finalist at age 34 since @AndreAgassi, 35, in 2005
* Bids to become 2nd-oldest US Open champ in Open Era (Rosewall, 35, in 1970)

— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 11, 2021

Novak Djokovic: “These are the moments we live for. Opportunities we wake up for. To do the same things over and over. Thank you so much for making it special!”

“I support Stefanos Tsitsipas because the rule is not clear. He did not deserve the attacks he was getting in the media”

“On another note, Alexander is a big champion. Someone we admire on and off the court. We train a lot. He uses Monaco as base, he is a great guy even better player. I knew today was going to be a battle and I hope we brought the energy to the people in the stadium.”

“There’s a lot of emotions. You’re by yourself on the court, have to find a way. I’ve developed a method over the years. There’s no secret potion. Tennis is rewarding but very demanding. You have to have the right balance between mind and body in this sport”

“Grand Slam is there but there is not much to talk about. I’m all in! Let’s do it! I’m going to put my heart, body, soul and head into that one. I am going to treat it like the last match of my career”

Novak Djokovic into the US Open final

Novak Djokovic remains unbeaten at the majors in 2021 and comes through a battle against Alexander Zverev in over three and a half hours. Wins 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 and is into the US Open final where he will play Daniil Medvedev

One win away from a calendar slam!

One win away. pic.twitter.com/6DgncwBW1B

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 11, 2021

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Djokovic throwing the kitchen sink at Zverev and the German still fighting. Still keeping himself alive. Djokovic gets the point in the end but it hasn’t been easy and it still isn’t. Zverev makes it 15-15 with a forehand winner after a big forehand came back – somehow. A 116mph ace out wide makes it 30-15. Djokovic on offense on this point. Forehand into the corner results in a short ball and quickly dabs it for a backhand winner. 30-30 and Zverev goes for an outstretched forehand winner but misses. The crowd is up and Djokovic is urging them to make some noise. Match point! DREAM IS ALIVE! Zverev’s shot hits the net and Djokovic has his arms in the air in joy. He deserves every bit of it!

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 5-2 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Djokovic serving for the match. Zverev starts off by continuing his silky smooth touch for a winner. And then forces an error out of Novak. 0-30. Is the fight on? Djokovic tries to quieten it with an ace down the T. But not for long. Sascha finds the sideline and the displays more of his resilience with a backhand winner down the line. Two break points. One saved as Zverev shanks his backhand into the net. Another break point goes away. Cry of anguish from Zverev. Djokovic with a deep forehand going a little too far. Tenth break point of the match for Zverev, third of the game. This is saved as well! Djokovic rocks on his forehand and drives a winner into the corner. Deuce. Misses a backhand this time and Zverev has another chance to break. 117mph ace to bring the game to deuce. WHAT A POINT. We’ve said this before and saying it again. 22 shot rally after almost three and a half hours. Zverev with a forehand winner after Djokovic gets two volleys up and over but doesn’t get the point. Yet another break point. BREAK! Double fault from Djokovic at the crucial moment. Still has the buffer but can never tell with this sport.

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 5-1 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev with a fabulous backhand winner down the line. Went low and snuck in a passing shot past Djokovic. Alexander Zverev gets on the board in the fifth set

ONE GAME TO GO!

ONE. GAME. TO. GO. pic.twitter.com/wUskZ3pf3C

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

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 5-0 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

A love hold from Novak Djokovic. 22 minutes played in the fifth set and he is bulldozing his way to the final taking Zverev apart in doing so

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 4-0 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev runs along haplessly to the other side of the court. Djokovic in complete control and producing some sublime hitting. Producing some sublime defensive and attacking tennis. Zverev overhits a forehand and it is a break point for Djokovic. Point to go double break up. Zverev with big serve, brave drive volley but he sends the smash long. Has his head in his hands. Djokovic is jubilant. And has every right to be. DOUBLE BREAK!

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 3-0 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Another point dropped, another hold for Novak Djokovic. He has, expectedly, turned things around from the fourth set. And completely on point with his five setters this year

Scenes in the Djokovic box!

YES! YES! AJDE! VAMOS! LET'S GO! FORZA! KOMM JETZT! ALLEZ! BAMOS!

(Apologies. Zverev has apparently turned me into Putinseva tonight.) pic.twitter.com/L9VUWSAHdM

— Wilfy (@whitelinefervor) September 11, 2021

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 2-0 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Djokovic drops a point on serve and holds comfortably. Zverev under pressure on his serve. A double fault, a 133mph second serve, not really helping his cause. Brings it to 30-30 with a smash. Patient approach from Djokovic and Zverev sends the backhand into the net. Break point. Second serve… BREAKS HIM! Djokovic and Zverev with patient rallying from the back of the court before Novak hits the drop shot and then hits a forehand passing shot. 30 shot rally!

Fourth five setter of the year for Novak Djokovic. He has won them all, like his matches this year at majors.

Career 5-set records

Djokovic 35-10 (which is crazy good)
Zverev 16-9

First 5 setter against each other pic.twitter.com/Dge4bTgSzg

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 11, 2021

Fourth set in numbers

Fourth set: Alexander Zverev 6-4

Alexander Zverev has forced a fifth set. He takes the fourth set 6-4 and seemingly brushes aside the disappointment of the closing stages of the third set. Up and ready to go is the German!

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev serving for the fourth set and starts off with an ace. What else? At 15-0, Djokovic comes out the poorer in an exchange from the baseline. Doesn’t get the right contact on the backhand and it goes wide. Two points away… Not so soon. A double fault from Zverev, goes for too much on the second serve. Djokovic with a drop shot but it isn’t perfectly placed. It sits up and Zverev runs into it for a forehand winner down the line. Set points and one is all he needs! Into the body and Djokovic sends the return into the net

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-5 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Djokovic goes for too much on the forehand and only sends it wide. 15-30 and a look in for Zverev. Good serve at this point and the short reply is swiftly dispatched straight at Sascha. Djokovic with a backhand winner into the corner to bring up game point. Strange shot from Djokovic and it doesn’t come off. Holds in the end and it will now be on Zverev to hold and take the match into a fifth set

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 3-5 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev cruises along in that service game. He is one game away from forcing a fifth set.. Holds at love now and Djokovic is under pressure

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-4 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Djokovic seemed to have an opening after Zverev made an unforced error on the backhand. But the German brings up game point with some big hitting and smacking the ball away for a smash. Djokovic staying in it with Zverev missing a backhand. Deuce. Slight window of opportunity. Big serve down the T at 134mph and punched into the corner for a winner on the forehand to go with it. Perfect one-two. Djokovic misses a forehand and Zverev holds from a seemingly precarious position

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-3 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

A pain free serve hold from Djokovic now. Zverev sends his backhand wide and the players quickly take their seats. Based on the start of this set, a fifth looks to be a certainty.

Longest rally of the US Open: 53 shots. FIFTY THREE.

53 shots.

A rally you'll never forget. #USOpenpic.twitter.com/VGLeMSUrSK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 11, 2021

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 1-2 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Some cracking points in the third game of the fourth set. Djokovic finding a backhand passing shot with Zverev at the net and now the German with a divine backhand winner of his own. From the edge of the court, Zverev whips a backhand down the line winner. At 40-30, Zverev finds the sideline and then goes behind Djokovic to bring the game to deuce. Djokovic with another ridiculous backhand winner. From below net height, Djokovic hits a backhand winner which kisses the line on its way. That was a brilliant shot. Looking to close the game out, Djokovic finds the tape on the next backhand. On we play. Zverev with INCREDIBLE defensive and then attacking tennis. Keeps the point going with great gets from the back and then puts the point away. Break point. Once again, Djokovic finds the big serve at a crucial juncture. The serve return is into the net. Little he could do. He, though, has another break point chance. Seventh of the match for Zverev. BREAK! Zverev with a forehand winner down the line and Djokovic could do absolutely nothing about that.

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Djokovic holds serve at 40-30. Zverev with some concern as a bug seems to have been lodged in his eye. Djokovic offers his saline solution but Sascha had fixed the problem by then. Now if only he could solve the challenge in front of him as well

Novak Djokovic is one set away from a 31st Grand Slam final

This is greatness. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UiYht6zqCN

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 11, 2021

Third set in numbers

Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-4

Novak Djokovic takes the third set 6-4 and is now two sets to one up over Alexander Zverev. The German saving two set points but unable to repeat his heroics on the third in what was a remarkable final game. A game that had 21, 53 and 16 shot rallies one after another. In the grand scheme of things, how deflating would that be for Alexander Zverev? He stays on court as Djokovic goes off to change

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev serving to stay in the third set. And it starts with Zverev making an unforced error on the forehand. Djokovic playing the waiting game, getting Sascha to go for it all. 32-shot rally. And it is Zverev who tries to find the sideline and misses by a milimetre. Not even an exaggeration. At 0-30, Zverev with a mishit. Djokovic once again patient and mixing things up with slice backhands, flat forehands. Three set points. One saved by Zverev. Brilliant hitting from both players. Djokovic find the deep end of the court multiple times on the forehand. WHAT AN UNBELIAVABLE POINT! 53 shots in that rally. FIFTY THREE! 21 shot rally on the previous point. 53 now. FIFTY THREE. Zverev with the point with a forehand cross court winner. Both players taking a much needed and deserved breather here. Jaw dropping stuff. Third set point does it! Djokovic with a forehand cross, then down the line and smashes the high ball. He gets the crowd up and cheering and there is every reason to. What a game!

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 5-4 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

FINE MARGINS on display in the semi-final. Djokovic finds the absolute last inch of the court to beat Zverev. Couple of groans as the line mark is displayed on the screen. Novak keeps the third set on serve with a reasonable hold in the end

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 4-3 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

The lull is over! Djokovic and Zverev embroiled in a 21-shot rally with great hitting from the back, some mishits too, and then Zverev plays a drop shot, Novak moves up with the slide to play a silky, smooth drop shot. Holds

Hope he’s got his UberEats order…

Finals! pic.twitter.com/b4H5G1BZqg

— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) September 11, 2021

Djokovic* 4-6, 6-2, 3-3 Zverev (* denotes next server)

ACE! Second straight love hold from Alexander Zverev and he quickly brings the pressure back on Novak Djokovic’s serve

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 3-2 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

After bit of a lull in play, Djokovic is required to save two break points. Saves one with an serve and volley strategy. The return doesn’t come back but Djokovic was up and ready. On the second, he finds an ace. Perfect placement. On deuce, Zverev has the chance to hit a passing shot but sends it well long. Looks at his box in disbelief and frustration at having missed that. Novak goes for the line on the backhand but it goes wide. Holds through in the end. On the second point, the ball seems to stay low after hitting the line. Zverev is displeased but there is little he or anyone can do about it. A big hold from Djokovic while saving two break points

May not have won the match, Felix Auger-Aliassime wins the sportsmanship award

Felix Auger-Aliassime, a thoroughly nice guy, wins the 2021 #USOpen sportspersonship award. pic.twitter.com/nc9mY2gQcR

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 10, 2021

Djokovic 4-6, 6-2, 2-1 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Both players dropping two points each before holding serve. Djokovic producing a *sensational* drop shot while moving up to the net. The balance, the control to stay on top of the ball and still get the feel on that ball. Just *chef’s kiss*