Nine-time Grand Slam titlist Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a third major title of 2015, when he defeated no.18 seed Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2) to reach his ninth US Open semi-finals on Tuesday night.
The 2-hour, 39-minute match on Arthur Ashe Stadium ended a little after 1 am Wednesday.
Novak raced to a one-set lead in 25 minutes, breaking Lopez twice. The Spaniard’s only break of the match came in the second set, and he made it count. Serving for that set, he saved a break point before ending the game with an ace.
The 2011 winner regrouped quickly. He was back in control, serving out the third set at love, closing it with a forehand winner.
Games went with serve in the fourth set. Djokovic soon found himself with five match points in the tie-break. He capitalised on his second when Lopez netted a forehand.
The 28-year-old Serbian star improved his Head2Head with the Toledo native to 6-0, and moved within two victories of claiming his second US Open title.
“He’s one of the rare players who actually serves and volleys after the first and second serves,” Novak said of Lopez. “It was anybody’s game in the fourth set. He had a couple of break points, I didn’t have any chance on his service game. The tie-break went my way, I played pretty good, very consistent, and I’m just glad to get through in four. Obviously, it was frustrating at times, but this was quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. This is what you expect. I have two days off, and hopefully will be able to get ready for the next one.”
Match statistics: aces (9-14), double faults (0-6), winners (36-36), unforced errors (17-48), total points won (125-108).
The next man in his path is defending champion Marin Cilic whom he has beaten 13 times in as many meetings. The ninth-seeded Croat prevailed over no.19 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in five sets (6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 6-4).
Looking ahead to the Cilic clash, Novak said: “It’s great that I have two days off now. Semifinal of US Open is a great achievement, I hope I can keep on going. Marin won his first Grand Slam last year in New York. I’m sure he feels confident. He won today a really close match. He has a big serve which gets him out of trouble. I know him very well. I know what to do, I will try to execute the game plan and play my best.”
No.2 seed Roger Federer will meet his fellow Swiss, fifth-seeded Stan Wawrinka, in the second semi-final.
Photo: AP
