NEW YORK – Tinapos ni two-time champion Novak Djokovic ang fairytale US Open run ni John Millman nang gapiin ang 55th-ranked Australian sa straight sets upang maisaayos ang semifinal clash kay Kei Nishikori.
Naitala ng Serbian star, winakasan ang 54-week title drought sa kanyang 13th Grand Slam title sa Wimbledon, ang 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 panalo laban sa Aussie upang umabante sa kanyang 11th US Open semifinal sa kanyang huling 11 appearances.
Umusad naman si Nishikori, ang 21st seed, sa susunod na round sa pamamagitan ng 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-4 pagdispatsa kay Marin Cilic – ang player na tumalo sa kanya sa 2014 final.
Pinatakbo ni Millman, ginulantang si five-time champion Roger Federer sa fourth round, si Djokovic sa loob ng dalawang oras at 49 minuto sa isa na namang mainit at maalinsangan na gabi sa Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“You survive on the court then thrive with a win,” wika ni Djokovic.
“Very tested,” sabi ni Djokovic, na inamin na tulad ng marami ay nagulat siya na si Millman ang kanyang nakalaban at hindi si Federer.
“But Millman is the kind of a player that makes you miss the balls, makes you win the point, earn the point.
“He doesn’t miss a lot himself, so he just runs left, right, gets a lot of balls. 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.”
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