After two previous quarterfinal appearances, Gael Monfils is finally into the semis of the U.S. Open for the first time in his career. Standing in his way on Friday, however, is world No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils will be squaring off for the 13th time in their careers at the ATP level when they battle for a place in in the U.S. Open final on Friday.
Djokovic is sweeping the head-to-head series 12-0, including 11-0 on hard courts. Their only meeting since 2014 came earlier this season in the Toronto semifinals, with the top-ranked Serb prevailing 6-3, 6-2. Monfils has been competitive in one of their two previous U.S. Open showdowns; he lost a controversial 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5), 0-6, 7-5 thriller in the 2005 first round before suffering a more comprehensive 7-6(1), 6-2, 6-1 beatdown in the 2010 quarterfinals.
Having stumbled in the quarters on two occasions prior to this U.S. Open, Monfils has gotten over the hump in New York to be a part of the final four for the first time ever. Especially impressive is the fact that the 12th-ranked Frenchman has stormed through this fortnight without dropping a single set in routine wins over Gilles Muller, Jan Satral, Nicolas Almagro, Marcos Baghdatis, and Lucas Pouille. 
But if you think the No. 10 seed has played fewer sets than anyone else in Flushing Meadows, think again. Djokovic’s trek through Flushing Meadows has been remarkably fortuitous–and it was just what the doctor ordered for a player who had been dealing with arm issues since the Rio Olympics and missed the Cincinnati Masters. In addition to wins over Jerzy Janowicz (four sets) and Kyle Edmund (straight), the No. 1 seed has gotten two retirements (Mikhail Youzhny and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga) and a walkover (from Jiri Vesely).
Now Djokovic faces another opponent whose career has been plagued by injuries, but Monfils has stayed healthy and focused in 2016. His record stands at an awesome 40-11 and he could reach No. 5 in the race to London even if he loses on Friday.
“I love watching Gael,” Djokovic commented. “He’s one of the few players that I will definitely pay a ticket to watch. He’s very charismatic; plays with a smile, enjoys tennis. But also, he seems more focused at this time of his career. Especially on the hard court this year maybe he’s playing the best tennis he ever played. He’s very consistent. He hasn’t dropped a set; that says a lot about the level he’s on.”
The jury is still out on Djokovic’s level given his alarming lack of time on court this fortnight, but early returns were especially encouraging in his fourth-round rout of Edmund. There is no reason to think physical problems will suddenly reappear for a well-rested Djokovic, who should extend his head-to-head dominance of Monfils to 13-0 without too much trouble.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
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WWW?
Nole in 2 (LaMonf to retire in the second set at 5:3 for Nole)…
LOL.
Hahahaha that was a good one
Gael is 2-5 vs Top 10 this year and hasn’t faced a player in the Top 20 at the USO until now. Nole schooled him in TO.
Djokovic in three losing 12-14 games.
Yeah, agree…Nole will have an easy job…he may not want to push too hard though and will probably let LaMonf win 8-10 games just to get some needed match practice…
I actually think that Nishi might be a better challenge in the final than Stanford but I don’t think either have a very good shot at beating him (unless it’s uncharacteristically hot on Sunday a la 2014).
Nah Stanimal has more belief and weapons plus big match experience. It will likely be a better final if it’s Stan vs Novak instead of kei vs Novak. Not saying kei couldn’t win though I just think given Stan’s past grand slam success, he would likely be a tougher matchup in the final for Novak. That’s if Nole gets there though. It seems like Novak should dust Monfils up due to the head to head and that may happen but I think la monf will push him. I don’t see an easy match for Novak. This will be the toughest test yet for Novak as Monfils is playing his best tennis ever imo. If he keeps this up he could be top 5 by the season’s end. He’s due to hit #8 if he loses this match and #6 in the race to London. I’m sure he will make the year end finals barring an injury. A pretty impressive aspect of his fantastic season is that he’s played such focused and great tennis and was still out for RG and has had some injuries and illnesses and has missed some of the year which made him rusty and lose Wimbledon first round yet he’s at the ranking he’s at right now. I’m really loving la monf this season. I will be rooting ten million percent for Monfils when he takes on Djokovic. I have Nole in four but would love to see Monfils take him out. Like I said this will be Nole’s toughest test so he will need to be ready. The thing that worries me though is Monfils maybe not having enough belief and getting off to a bad start and maybe playing nervous and defensive. He’s got nothing to lose though so I’m thinking he fights hard and continues his form and pushes Novak in this one. Allez Gael!!
Stan’s self-belief >> Kei’s. Stan once also said that his head to head against Novak in BO3 is pretty bad but he’s played Novak really well in slams and believes that he can beat anyone when he is on his game.
Plus, his brand of tennis is more ‘imposing’.
Not sure where Stan’s head is though. Haven’t even seen his matches except for some highlights so relying on the comments of some of the good posters here. One can tell Stan is not riding wave of good form but you never know. He may well peak now. If he beats Nishi, that would mean he is ready.
Djoker in four
Djokovic in 3. Love LaMonf but hugging the baseline and taking the ball early does not come naturally to him. It does to Djokovic and whatever ailed him coming in to the tournament is behind him now, imo.
Monfils will retire before the match or early on in the match. The law of the laughing devil decries it.
laughing devil???
Anybody know if this match will be on 1st or 2nd? Should be 1st imo
1st
Seems like most of you haven’t watched most of Gaels matches this year !
He ran out of steam last time (faced Goffin, Raonic and two more opponents) he faced Novak but this time he has conserved a lot of energy. This is probably the match that could turn around his career and the way he served against Pouille is an optimistic sign. He has also been quite consistent. Most people probably expected him to lose half the matches he played this year because they are probably not ready to accept that Gael can be serious and a dangerous player therefore they keep predicting against him.
Prediction : Gael in 4
P.S if he loses I am done hahah
bold!
Ill go Nole in four . Something like 75 67 64 62
I am also giving a set to Gael… just hope he avoids that annoying backhand junk-balling down the centre of the court. Don’t know why he does that :s is he just fond of letting his opponents go for big shots so that he may display his acrobatic skills?! Anyway, he’s been focused lately so I am counting on a good performance from him.
I think Gael will show some good variation and provide competition.
I would like to think that Monfils will make a match of it. He has never beaten Novak, but a player has to go out there with some belief to have a chance. There is always a first time.
Novak seems to be more himself with the time off he had in the early rounds. It may have been what he needed to get over what was ailing him. He is always tough to beat when he gets to the semis of a slam. I expect him to come out playing well.
I think this Monfils is capable of taking a set off Novak. He has to come out and play like he is in it to win it. That’s half the battle. What I do not want to see is a repeat of what happened with Tsonga. At least go out there and give it your best. I am expecting Monfils to do that. He’s got nothing to lose and should just try to go for his shots. He’s got the athletic ability and talent to make this a match.
Nole in 3
If the real Nole turns up ,no contest.But Monfils is in best form of his life, its a Slam semi, would love to see another 5 setter.
Oh ya, me too would love another 5 set match!
I am kind of looking forward to Gael-Novak…. have been impressed with Gael’s attitude lately and I think he will try his best today and we know he’s got some serious weapons. He did start well in Toronto but he’d played with a dozen matches in a row coming into that match with Novak.
It won’t be an easy match at all in my opinion.
Tiggy:
Wow, totally forgot both Toronto semis were the exact same matchups! Nole abd Nishi won in TO (my picks today) but Tiggy going with the Big Baby this time around.
“Djokovic and Monfils played one semifinal in Toronto, and Wawrinka and Nishikori played the other.
“One thing Djokovic is very good at is making someone who is playing the tennis of his life … stop playing the tennis of his life.”
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/09/novak-djokovic-kei-nishikori-gael-monfils-stan-wawrinka-us-open-semifinals/60881/
Not gonna predict who wins this match. I’m just rooting for Gael and hoping for a great show.
Gael yet to win a game lol 5-0
Oh snap VR.
5-0 LOL.
#NID
#BEL13VE
Monfils junk-balling powers at their peak right now. How and why has he come out so lifeless?
Not even retrieving balls!!!
Did you guys see that?? what was that second serve return?! It is a slam semi dammit you can’t do this.
I think he is injured and going to retire!
Even Djokovic doesn’t know what the hell is happening and is missing easy shots now
3 dfs by nole serving for the set! he’s turned into rafa! breaks himself…
Not this again!
I don’t think I have seen such a bizarre set in my entire life. They’re playing almost on my level now 🙂
i was only looking at live scores. how on earth did nole serve 3 dfs when 5-1 up?
amy, and he missed a sitter forehand… I think he was like what the hell is happening!? why can’t I play one normal match lol.
hahah vr. this is tennis farce no??
Yeah we can put up a comparable show.
If Monfils doesn’t have any injury, it is DISGUSTING what he did at in that 5-1 game. A disgrace.
I think he is fine.
And he is serving and volleying all over the place :s
No one wants to play Nole anymore. They are done.
WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH MONFILS?!! he is returning second serves from where federer would would stand when doing the SABR!!!
6-3 but it was almost 5-4!
The ugliest set of the decade
so vr you think nole is so freaked by gael’s rubbish play he is now playing rubbish himself?! that’s quite a feat…
J Mac just said this is the weirdest set he has EVER seen …and we know J Mac has seen A LOT of matches to say the least lol.
Amy, I don’t know how to describe this lol.
Monfils continues to hit rubbish shots…
well how come he won so many points at the end of that set? is it like some kind of terrible tennis contagion?? do you think it might spread into the next semi??
please someone critique this lunatic spectacle for me….
lol, amy, I’m just waiting to see if Gael retires and says fark this or what.
well maybe the crowd thinks fark this as well rc! even j-mac is disturbed watching it…
RC, I’ve actually thought 15 times now that he is going to retire in the next minute he plays a normal point!
I don’t think I will ever be able to have any respect for this guy.
He was tanking the first set and that drew some cheap points in that 5-1 game….the next thing we see is Monfils making this a tactic going forward?!
Oh and there was an awful attempt at a SABR by Gael.
I think he has devised a ‘genius’ strategy in his mind to throw Djokovic off rhythm.
What stupidity is this!
could be the equivalent of a tennis nervous breakdown vr…have you considered that possibility…
I don’t know. Monfils doesn’t appear to want to play at all. Monfils saving himself for Davis Cup? No use putting effort into this? ZERO excitement.
How can someone treat a grand slam semi like this???
Terrible for tennis.
i just had a look at ricky’s twitter thinking he would have plenty witty things to say about this. he hasn’t tweeted anything. maybe he is in a state of shock…
Here’s what Ricky said and I agree! Switch us to the juniors matches.
Ricky Dimon
‏@Dimonator
Tsitsipas vs. Felix tomorrow will be way better than this
Djokovic will have made 100 net approaches if this match goes for 4 sets or something… the only way Monfils wants points to end is to force Djokovic to approach the net to finish the points because Monfils is throwing junk balls
This has to be the easiest/luckiest path to a slam final ever :s
If this continues for another set, Monfils should be fined! Dammit there are genuine fans who have PAID to watch a slam semi!
Now Monfils is grunting after every shot and misses three backhands in the same exact spot.
They just showed that there is a 10,000 dollars fine if is seen not to be putting in his best effort. I hope they fine him 100,000 dollars!
What a clown.
Now Monfils doing the opposite- going for big forehands
Monfils limped to the chair! chris fowler said ‘ Monfils, with an exaggerated limp…’
Monfils limping to his chair, a retirement soon? What comedy should that happen! No Djoker!
What has Monfils coach been teaching him? Absolutely rubbish from Monfils, its embarrassing for the coach sitting there watching. Monfils deserves some booing from the crowd.
To be fair he’s in a Slam semi. Obviously embarrassing performance here, but lets not act like he’s doing this in a first round
This reminds me of fed vs anyone but Rafa before 2008.
The sooner this match is over, the better. embarrassing lack of effort??
So horrible; the women’s SFs were way better than this!
this match can’t be compared to any other. Players play practice sets with 3 times more intensity than this guy is playing a slam semi!
Pathetic. Monfils deserved to get booed. Show some effort dude. Play like you have been. Just because you’re playing Djokovic and he’s a great player doesn’t mean you act like you have no shot and show less effort. Ok he’s hit a few aces this game now about to be 2-1 Djoker. Three aces in that game actually. Come on la monf. Get something going. Djoker not even tested at all this tourney. Janowicz can say he got a set off Novak when no one else has so far lol. So many people paid so much money to see this too. Show some class Gael you’re capable of a lot better than this. Come on man.
now Gael bending down and acting as if he has run a 10km marathon.
Djokovic gets another’wtf-realization’ and makes cheap errors. 15-40
happier now benny? he gets the break..
A pity its not Pouille who came through to this SF, I bet Pouille would play better than this Monfils.
ANYONE would ‘play’ better than this! he is NOT playing tennis!!
Would of played with more effort, but would have gotten smoked by Djoker. Probably wouldn’t have won 12 games
Only if Nole let him, like Rafa did.
Well at least that point to get to 2-2 shows some effort from Monfils. Pls carry on doing so, Mr Monfils.
Play shit tennis for the whole match and suddenly at break point play one of the points of the tournament. #JustGaelStuff
I don’t know manwerty..the Gael of old would do clown stuff but play serious tennis for 80-85% of the times at least…This is a complete clown out there!
Now he is hitting some big forehands!
Djokovic has NO clue what is coming at him!
A biggg backhand DTL winner from Monfils and he roars.
My response: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The clown wins a point and raises his arm to get some applause from the crowd! SLAP HIM ! disgusting he has been
I actually had to stop watching this match because I was so disgusted by what I saw! I checked back to see this dismal score.
I can’t remember a time when a player has had such as easy path through a Slam draw. Novak could have slept his way to the semis! Now this joke of a match!
I a very disappointed in Monfils. This is exactly what I did not want to see!
When you see how Nishi played against Murray, that is what you expect! You go out there and give it your best effort!
Monfils should be ashamed!
please no. we want this match to be put out of its misery asap.
138 second serve Ace…. Monfils things 🙂
138 MPH second serve ace…biggest serve of the match….
Song requests, anyone? Dancing?
singing in the rain?? that’s a wimby fave…
Amy,
Love it! Actually one of my all-time favorite musicals!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UmaFTEIZ84
ah gr8 stuff….thanx
So now that he is down two sets and basically gave them away, he is going to win a set? Please!
Monfils back to back breaks. Djoker’s poor play finally catching up to him with Gael’s increase of effort
Well at least something now. Monfils secures a break, pls dont give it back!
Jinxed it. Now this is what I wanted to see!! He’s playing awesome now. His speed is insane. That shot he hit to break back for 2-2 was amazing and now he’s serving and playing fantastic. Let’s go Monfils!!
so Monfils plays some real tennis and breaks serve…the sort of tennis I expected him to play. djokovic shanked the final forehand and I think he is again having a ‘wtf-realization’ …
Oh no! Novak getting treatment for the shoulder?
what is going on? is monfils going to win?!
Hello over-reaction
I don’t think so. But the ESPN commies said that he is wincing from shoulder pain.
This has been some wacky match!
Where was this Monfils in the first two sets?
Don’t feel like cheering for this guy now after..
Now a trainer worked on Djokovic’s LEFT shoulder. Just a gentle massage.
sorry but after all this farce i don’t want gael to win….
This is a HORRIBLE match from Novak Djokovic, I doubt I’ve seen Djokovic play worse in the last three years. Gael finally exposed that weakness. But why on earth he finally started playing down a break in the third, trailing 0-2 in sets?
Probably gonna lose anyway, basing on what I saw today, that level of concentration will not last long for Gael and Novak will probably raise his level at some point, too.
is nole playing horrible because he’s playing horrible or because of gael’s dreadful play infecting his?
combination of both may be but hard to diagnose to be honest! this is so weird.
sounds bizarre in the extreme…
Yep. Horrid match from Djoker.
Djoker stop trying to hit damn drop shots!!! Has he not learned his lesson from 3 sets. Even when Monfils was putting in a crap performance in the first 2 sets, he was still getting to every drop shot
Monfils has chased EVERY single drop shot/volley by Novak in the latsa few games. He needs more back spin on those droppers because simply placing them close to the net is not enough.
Now Djokovic playing at an incredibly-crappy level! set point Monfils for 6-2
Is there something in the air? What is going on with these two guys! It’s like survival of the fittest!
Monfils bending over like he’s ready to drop!
it is all drama and fake NNY
vr,
But why?
Oh God!
0-40 Monfils! ?
So monfils somehow retrieves a shot but then wastes that with a drop shot that lands inside his service box!!!!
I’ve always supported Monfils, just love watching him when he’s on. Have put up with a lot of his crap over the years. But today is just a new level of BS. How do you play like this when your serving out a set?
Djoker helping him out. Now tears the shirt. AD Gael
Deuce now.
Monfils woke up !
Game point.
What on earth did Novak do to his shirt? Are they both cracking up out there?
This is the wackiest match I have seen in some time!
Unreal set and match. Weirdest stuff I’ve seen in a long time
Winning that set just makes it worse.
He should be fined and rules should be changed so that he could also be suspended.
Despite all the crap he did in the first two sets, despite all this lack of effort I just can’t stop supporting the Frenchman. If he plays on this level he showed in the third everything is possible.
This Monfils, he has to do things the hard way and needs lots of encouragement from the crowd. He’s really a showman.
Oh here we go again! Novak getting his shoulder massaged.
Monfils has a moth on his back and it’s just staying there. Monfils is playing better with the moth!
The ESPN commies are laughing about the moth! Hey, if it helps Monfils get the break, so be it!
andy would have killed that moth…
Set 4 will be a joke. Bakery product.
hope so…
Monfils playing ‘normal’ tennis now and Djokovic is kind of crap….this is a contest now finally.
Monfils is actually the better player right now…winning more baseline rallies :s break point Monfils
I agree. Novak looks like crap.
surely there has to be something wrong with nole to be playing this bad?
well, I don’t think even Djokovic knows where his level is! If the reaches the final, I doubt he will be a confident man. It has been so weird for him.
agreed. but it’s not clear he’s gonna get there…
Well he has had the trainer out to massage the shoulder at least two times since I started watching again.
Why does Monfils keep bending over after every point?
Now they said the trainer is waiting to treat someone.
yeah the trainer is out there to treat Gael.
How can we believe he is in real pain after all that drama?! you have no idea NNY how he behaved in the first two sets…
0-40 to deuce on Monfils service game and he bending down after EVERY point as if he is in real pain…
Now,Monfils wins a very lucky point thanks to a net cord dead drop…Djokovic responds by swinging his arms up in the air and smiling at the crowd !?!!
i thought you said he was faking?
yeah I used the wrong words…shouldn’t have said real pain…he if faking and it is all drama and Novak Djokovic is playing shit. lol
SICK backhand DTL from Monfils to help him end the game with an easy forehand CC winner.
is it some kind of law of great champions that as they get older they stop being able to convert break point?
LOL!
Monfils drinking coke during the changeover..
a nice sugar rush and sugar high would be just the ticket!
Good grief! Novak DF’s away the break! Now the trainer is coming out for Novak.
insane chase by Novak! 15-40
if nole doesn’t convert a break point soon he is going to rip up his entire kit…
only his ROS is working…and that gets it done..and of course some good defense..
Fireworks from Monfils! 15-40 !! two break back points
and he doublee faults!!! back on serve
Now the trainer is working on novak’s other shoulder! Novak is taking a full MTO.
They did say that it’s very hot and the conditions are bad.
I think Monfils left the court when he heard that Novak would be taking a full MTO.
This is just the craziest thing I have ever seen!
and that is saying A LOT! you’ve been watching tennis for ages!!
now the trainer massaging Djokovic’s RIGHT shoulder?! what is happening!
and this time it is a propoer MTO
Before the match I talked with my dad and I said that whoever wins that gets the title in my opinion. I kinda don’t believe in this anymore as both seem to be really struggling physically – Monfils bending down after every point and Nole taking multiple MTOs and limping after that last game.
I am at the match. Both are not at their best and djoko has come down from his god mode of first two sets. If monf had won of the first too, it would have been interesting. Hope kei wawa will be a cracker
vmk..hope you are getting some entertainment now but djokovic was far from god mode in sets 1 and 2…I think it is tough to analyze watching it live… Only the first few games were high quality from him.
Anyway, have fun vmk! hope it goes to 5 so that you can enjoy 🙂
They put up the weather stats.
Temp – 89 degrees
Feels like – 96 degrees
So it is bad out there.
Why do they not close the roof and make it more comfortable?
I think they’ve done that at AO. When the wet bulb / heat stress index too high
Djoker was never even remotely close to ‘God Mode’…..
Monfils bending on his knees after EVERY point and I mean it, EVERY POINT!
S&V behind a second serve on BP and loses the game…second time he has done it on a break point!
Djokovic’s second serve is a clear liability at the moment…his shoulder woes are causing lack of confidence?
This is one time that Novak has not raised his level of play for a semifinal match. The heat conditions are part of it. But this was an opportunity for Monfils, which he wasted. Novak is there for the taking.
The ESPN commies said that the weather conditions should be better for the final with a later start time. It should be in the low 80’s.
Yeah Monfils shouldn’t have played so poorly with the lack of effort in first two sets. He had a good shot. Djoker not playing too well still. Stan or Kei should be a much tougher match. I honestly don’t think Novak will win the final. I picked him to lose to del Po in the final at the start of the tournament but kei and Stan can do it as well. I love Del Po so that was a bit biased but Stan is my second favorite behind Roger so I’m still a little suprised with myself at how I picked him to lose to Kyrgios. I mean that was probably the smarter pick if you looked at the form of each guy this hard court summer but still. I usually pick Stan to go farther. Love how he’s fought through the draw here but he’s gonna have to step it up against Kei. I’d love to see the Stanimal take his third slam. Allez Stanislas!!
Really I’m suprised I picked him to lose to NK cuz I made that pick so quickly. Like I just put nick through automatically. But Kyrgios did have the edge in form before the tourney. Quite a big edge in fact with his title in Atlanta and Stan’s subpar form leading into the tourney. I’m really glad Stan is in the SF though. If kei wins I would be happy for him too and I would also love it if he beat Novak in the final. I think Stan would have more of a shot though because his greater belief against the top guys like Nole.
Does not look like it:( i watched rafa beat djoko for #13 in 2013 and now djoko may be getting no13 just three years later? The guy is unbelievable on hard courts
This gives new meaning to the phrase – winning ugly.
I cant even remotely believe I’m saying this as a Djoker lifer, honestly think he should be the underdog against either player in the final…
Why do you keep ripping your shirts…. “I keep asking myself the same question” How to bounce back from it over and over again “I just grab another t shirt from my bag and continue” Haha 🙂
Horrendous match. I really hope Monfils is fined!
Djokovic is vulnerable but it would still require a big effort from either Kei or Stan.
Yeah, such an ugly match! I hope Stan vs Kei is much much better than this. This USO – its truly disappointing with some dreadful matches and so many injuries and retirements.
Djoko’s shoulders wont heal so soon, looks like Kei or Stan will have a good chance for the title, unless they too play awful tennis like Monfils.
I agree about this USO being disappointing. This semifinal is quite forgettable. Novak was fortunate to get through it.
I expect Stan and Nishi to be much more of a match. I also think that whoever wins does have a shot at beating Novak.
If Nishi wins, will he have enough left for the final. It may depend on how long this semifinal match goes.
That’s why I want stan to win. Well, if Delpo were not injured, he would have a good chance of winning because he is mentally tough and reliable. Stan is volatile.
would have had*
Hey dont say that? The two qfs i watched live were worth it. Murray kei and delpo wawa. Yesterdays pilskova victory was good too so was halep v serena. Hoping for a great semi and aso hoping i dont empty my wallet on rafa merchandise?
Yeah Murray Kei was pretty good! you’re watching so many matches, good for you man! watching the next semi and the final as well?
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