By Chris Oddo | Tuesday September 6, 2016
Novak Djokovic is into the U.S. Open semifinals for the tenth consecutive year and that’s what matters most. The 12-time major champion hammered that point home in his post-match press conference after he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-3, 6-2 RET in Tuesday night quarterfinal action at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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“I'm in the semifinals, so that's what matters for me the most,” he said after spending one hour and 23-minutes getting a leg up on Tsonga before the Frenchman was forced to retire with a leg down.
Tsonga didn't seem to be hobbled during the match but when the trainer worked his left knee during a changeover late in the second set the pain on Tsonga's face gave away his dire situation. “It's something I had already in the past, so I know exactly what's happen,” he said, adding: “I knew it was over for me straightaway, because when I have my knee, of course, it's already tough to play against one of the best tennis player. But when I don't have my knee, I have no chance to come back from two sets to love. So for me, it's important to save what I can save.”
The fact that Djokovic has only spent 6:26 on court in five matches doesn’t appear to be worrying Djokovic at all. In fact he seems more than confident that he’s as sharp as he needs to be heading into the final two rounds.
“I thought that I came out with the right intensity,” Djokovic said. “The quality of my game and level of performance has raised in last couple of days, which obviously encourages me prior to the last four. I put myself in a position again to be one match away from the finals. As tournament progresses, I feel like I'm getting better.”
Though his performance was cut short, Djokovic did look to be his menacing self on Tuesday. Tsonga made the mistake of trying to hang with the Serb at the baseline far too often and he paid for it dearly. Djokovic was accurate, consistent and his shots had sting. When he needed to he pulled the trigger on passing shots, or exploded into his counterpunches. Everything seemed to be polished.
Djokovic finished his two sets with 18 winners and 12 unforced errors, while a haggard Tsonga hit 36 unforced against just 11 winners.
It was a dominant display from Djokovic, while it lasted.
Still, the Serb couldn’t help admitting that the situation was a bit unique, if not strange. Djokovic received a second-round walkover in New York when Jiri Vesely withdrew with an injury, an early third-round retirement (after six games) when Mikhail Youzhny tapped out and on Tuesday a second retirement from Tsonga.
“I never experienced something like this to have three retirements on the road to the semifinals,” he said.
It may be exactly the blessing Djokovic needed. Before the tournament he was honest about the status of his left wrist (not good) and was apprehensive about starting a Grand Slam when not in perfect health. He felt he needed time.
Now the focus shifts from Djokovic’s health to Djokovic’s rust. Has he gotten enough match play to be prepared for the semifinals and finals?
He says yes.
“Actually, in this stage of the season, considering some physical issues I have had in the last month, month and a half, this was the scenario that I needed and I wished for,” he said. “I got a lot of days off and recovered my body. Right now I'm feeling very close to the peak. That's the position where I want to be.”
Djokovic will next face Frenchman Gael Monfils in the semifinals. Though the 30-year-old Monfils has not dropped a set in New York thus far, he totes an 0-12 record against Djokovic and will come in as the heavy underdog.
While Djokovic clearly wants to end the Frenchman’s fortnight, he admits that he’s a fan of the marvelously gifted Monfils. “He's one of the few players that I will definitely pay a ticket to watch,” the world No. 1 said. “He's very charismatic. Plays with a smile. Enjoys tennis. Enjoys life.”