The Serb did what Roger Federer could not, beating John Millman in similarly hot conditions
By Paul Newman
Where Roger Federer failed, Novak Djokovic prevailed. Forty-eight hours after the 37-yearold Swiss suffered one of the most shocking defeats of his career when he was beaten by John Millman, Djokovic swept aside the Australian on Wednesday to secure his place in the semi-finals of the US Open. Djokovic, who was won all 11 of the quarter-finals he has played here, beat Millman 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 48 minutes on another sweltering night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In Friday’s semifinals the Wimbledon champion will meet Kei Nishikori, who beat Marin Cilic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 to complete a historic double for Japan following Naomi Osaka’s win over Lesia Tsurenko earlier in the afternoon. It will be the first time ever that two Japanese players have played in the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam tournament.
On Monday Millman had ended Federer’s run of 40 consecutive US Open victories over players ranked outside the world’s top 50 as the world No 2 struggled to cope with the stifling heat and humidity. Djokovic has had his own troubles in the gruelling conditions here, but although there were moments when he again looked distressed the 31-year-old proved a more resilient opponent.
SWEAT STOPS PLAY
He was helped, no doubt, by one of the most unusual breaks ever seen at a Grand Slam tournament. At 2-2 in the second set Millman was allowed to leave the court to change his kit after the umpire ruled that the playing surface had become dangerous because of the floods of sweat dripping off the 29-year-old.
While Millman was off the court Djokovic sat shirtless in his chair and asked to see the tournament doctor, who gave him a nasal spray. He also appeared to take some salt tablets, though he would not confirm afterwards what they were. Djokovic said the conditions at this year’s tournament were the toughest he had known in the last 10 years. He said he had never sweated as much and echoed Federer’s comments about a lack of air in the stadium, saying it was a problem the tournament needed to address.
“Whether it’s night or day, we just don’t have air down there,” he said. “It feels like a sauna.” He added: “I personally have never sweated as much as I have here. Incredible. I have to take at least 10 shirts for every match. After two games you’re literally soaking. Roger never sweats that much, but look how he was a couple of nights ago.”
Although Djokovic won the first three games, the rallies were hard-fought from the start as Millman kept making his opponent hit the extra ball. The first six games took 42 minutes, but after an hour Djokovic had the first set in the bag. Millman held serve from 0-40 down in the opening game of the second set but at 4-4 he double-faulted on break point. Djokovic served out for the second set and again drew first blood in the third, though Millman rallied to level at 3-3.
Once again, however, the Australian was broken at 4-4, upon which Djokovic served out to love to complete his victory. Djokovic paid credit to his opponent. “He makes you miss balls and makes you earn the point,” the Serb said. “He doesn’t miss a lot himself. He just runs left, right, gets a lot of balls. Very slow conditions, slow balls, and he just gets a lot of balls back. Tactically, you’ve got to find the right balance between being patient but constructive in the point, but at the same time be aggressive and take the chance when you have a shorter ball. It’s easier said than done, especially in these kind of conditions.”
Where Roger Federer failed, Novak Djokovic prevailed. Forty-eight hours after the 37-yearold Swiss suffered one of the most shocking defeats of his career when he was beaten by John Millman, Djokovic swept aside the Australian on Wednesday to secure his place in the semi-finals of the US Open. Djokovic, who was won all 11 of the quarter-finals he has played here, beat Millman 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 48 minutes on another sweltering night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In Friday’s semifinals the Wimbledon champion will meet Kei Nishikori, who beat Marin Cilic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 to complete a historic double for Japan following Naomi Osaka’s win over Lesia Tsurenko earlier in the afternoon. It will be the first time ever that two Japanese players have played in the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam tournament.
On Monday Millman had ended Federer’s run of 40 consecutive US Open victories over players ranked outside the world’s top 50 as the world No 2 struggled to cope with the stifling heat and humidity. Djokovic has had his own troubles in the gruelling conditions here, but although there were moments when he again looked distressed the 31-year-old proved a more resilient opponent.
SWEAT STOPS PLAY
He was helped, no doubt, by one of the most unusual breaks ever seen at a Grand Slam tournament. At 2-2 in the second set Millman was allowed to leave the court to change his kit after the umpire ruled that the playing surface had become dangerous because of the floods of sweat dripping off the 29-year-old.
While Millman was off the court Djokovic sat shirtless in his chair and asked to see the tournament doctor, who gave him a nasal spray. He also appeared to take some salt tablets, though he would not confirm afterwards what they were. Djokovic said the conditions at this year’s tournament were the toughest he had known in the last 10 years. He said he had never sweated as much and echoed Federer’s comments about a lack of air in the stadium, saying it was a problem the tournament needed to address.
“Whether it’s night or day, we just don’t have air down there,” he said. “It feels like a sauna.” He added: “I personally have never sweated as much as I have here. Incredible. I have to take at least 10 shirts for every match. After two games you’re literally soaking. Roger never sweats that much, but look how he was a couple of nights ago.”
Although Djokovic won the first three games, the rallies were hard-fought from the start as Millman kept making his opponent hit the extra ball. The first six games took 42 minutes, but after an hour Djokovic had the first set in the bag. Millman held serve from 0-40 down in the opening game of the second set but at 4-4 he double-faulted on break point. Djokovic served out for the second set and again drew first blood in the third, though Millman rallied to level at 3-3.
Once again, however, the Australian was broken at 4-4, upon which Djokovic served out to love to complete his victory. Djokovic paid credit to his opponent. “He makes you miss balls and makes you earn the point,” the Serb said. “He doesn’t miss a lot himself. He just runs left, right, gets a lot of balls. Very slow conditions, slow balls, and he just gets a lot of balls back. Tactically, you’ve got to find the right balance between being patient but constructive in the point, but at the same time be aggressive and take the chance when you have a shorter ball. It’s easier said than done, especially in these kind of conditions.”