ZCZC
BSP-10,11
TENNIS-USA-OPEN-MEN-WRAP
Djokovic to face Nishikori in 11th US Open semi-final
NEW YORK, Sept 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Two-time champion Novak Djokovic ended
John Millman’s fairytale US Open run on Wednesday, beating the 55th-ranked
Australian in straight sets to book a semi-final clash with Kei Nishikori.
The Serbian star, who ended a 54-week title drought with his 13th Grand
Slam title at Wimbledon, defeated the tenacious Aussie 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach
his 11th US Open semi-final in his last 11 appearances.
He lifted the trophy in 2011 and 2015.
Nishikori, the 21st seed, advanced with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-4
victory over Marin Cilic — the man who beat him in the 2014 final.
Millman, who stunned five-time champion Roger Federer in the fourth round,
kept Djokovic running — and was kept running himself — for 2 hours 49
minutes on another hot, humid night on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“You survive on the court then thrive with a win,” said Djokovic, who
converted just four of his 20 break points and made 53 unforced errors before
he was finally able to accomplish what Federer couldn’t in seeing off
Millman.
“Very tested,” Djokovic said. “It’s midnight now. Credit to John for
putting up a great battle. After that kind of win to come out here and fight
for three hours — he deserves a round of applause.”
It was clear that it could be a long night when the players battled for
more than 15 minutes in the sixth game of the opening set, Millman saving
four break points.
The Aussie saved another four in the opening game of the second set and as
the duel continued both players were clearly feeling the effects of their
long, entertaining rallies.
Millman, his clothes soaked, made the unorthodox request to go change after
the fourth game of the second set — Djokovic agreeing.
“He was apologizing he felt very sorry that he has to leave the court and
change. I said, ‘Man, go ahead.’
“I needed that rest,” said Djokovic, who finally gained the decisive break
in the penultimate game of the final set then served it out at love.
MORE/MR/ 1035 hrs
ZCZC
BSP-11
TENNIS-USA-OPEN-MEN-WRAP-TWO-LAST
“I gave it a crack,” said the 29-year-old Millman, who has battled a litany
of injuries in his career.
“I definitely left it all out there today and pulled up a bit short.
Novak’s a champion. He’s played a lot of Grand Slams and he knows how to win
them.”
Japan’s Nishikori, who missed last year’s US Open after a season-ending
wrist injury, joined compatriot Naomi Osaka in reaching the semis — the
first time that a Japanese man and woman have reached the last four in the
same Grand Slam.
Nishikori stunned then-world number one Djokovic in the semi-finals in 2014
to become the first man from an Asian country to reach the championship match
of a major.
But he hasn’t returned to a Grand Slam final since, falling in the US Open
semis in 2016.
Against Cilic he labored for 4 hours and 8 minutes.
“I don’t know why but it’s always a battle with Marin,” said Nishikori, who
stretched his career record over the seventh-seeded Croatian to 9-6.
Nishikori appeared to be in control of the fifth set with a break for a 3-1
lead.
He had two game points for a 5-2 lead but a double fault and a backhand
wide opened the door for Cilic, who stormed through, shouting “Got it!” when
he secured the break to narrow the gap to 4-3.
– Nishikori goes the distance –
But Nishikori broke Cilic in the final game, capturing the match with a
blistering service return.
“I try to fight every point,” said Nishikori, who boasts an impressive
record in decisive sets.
“Especially in the end I really focus on every point,” he said but added:
“I wish I don’t go to five sets every time.”
Unable to match Cilic’s level in the opening set and down a break in the
second, Nishikori began to turn the tide when he broke Cilic at love to
narrow the gap to 4-3.
“Kei started to hit a little bit better. He broke me. He won six games in a
row there. From that point on, I felt the match was quite even.”
BSS/AFP/MR/1035 hrs