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
[polldaddy poll=9516347]
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?
[polldaddy poll=9519215]