Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton Set to Face Off in US Open Semi-Final

Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton will face both for the primary time in Friday’s US Open semi-final after each males progressed from their quarter-final matches on Tuesday.

The primary final eight of the match day noticed Novak Djokovic comprehensively take out Taylor Fritz in straight units. In oven-like circumstances throughout the warmest a part of the day, the roof needed to be partially closed, however Djokovic handled circumstances and his opponent moderately handily to make his forty sixth Grand Slam semi-final.

Ben Shelton then took out Frances Tiafoe throughout the humid night time session with a four-set victory that noticed him swing for the fences all through. He was rewarded with 50 winners in one other big-hitting efficiency.

The favorite tag, which Tiafoe usually doesn’t possess throughout the latter levels of a slam, appeared to place the tenth seed in his shell. It was a flat efficiency, with the humidity zapping much more power from him. He’s normally the energizer bunny, however Shelton had extra bounce in his step all through.

US Open Day 9 Quarter Remaining Outcomes

Winner
Loser
Scoreline

Novak Djokovic (1)
Taylor Fritz (9)
6-1 6-4 6-4

Ben Shelton
Frances Tiafoe (10)
6-2 3-6 7-6(8)7 6-2

djokovic us open 2023

Novak Djokovic moved 8-0 clear within the H2H with Taylor Fritz on Tuesday, but once more outclassing the American with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Utilizing his superior baseline sport and pressuring return to interrupt Fritz six occasions en path to victory, Djokovic bought the job achieved in 2 hours and 34 minutes, which he’ll be glad about given the 34-degree temperatures and close to insufferable humidity on Arthur Ashe.

The win sees Djoker make his forty seventh Grand Slam semi-final, whereas Fritz departs New York nonetheless with zero wins from eleven matches towards the Prime 10 gamers in Grand Slams.

On this one, Fritz will rue solely changing 2 of 12 break factors, so he did have some probabilities, however Djokovic is simply too wily from the again of the courtroom, and as soon as a rally begins, he’s an enormous favorite to win it.

So whereas Fritz’s sport has improved, and he’s amongst the perfect gamers on the earth, on the absolute elite stage, he’s a bit too one-dimensional, so he’ll at all times battle towards the likes of Novak. I’d fee him as the perfect of the American bunch, however I believe Ben Shelton most likely has extra upside in his sport if he can hold serving like he has been this week.

I’m drenched in sweat and I noticed Taylor modified shirt a few occasions. It was very humid circumstances. Troublesome to play for each gamers. However it’s the similar for each gamers and that’s the reason we prepare. To try to get ourselves in the absolute best situation to ship. It isn’t straightforward, however it’s important to battle. I just like the power and the environment on the courtroom right here. I thrive on that power, regardless of the power is, use it as a gas to try to play my finest tennis, I’ve been taking part in on this courtroom for thus a few years, so many epic matches. I can’t wait for an additional one in just a few days time. Djokovic on the circumstances and environment.

Match Stats

Taylor Fritz
Novak Djokovic

Aces
8
7

Double Faults
2
5

First Serve
55%
61%

1st Serve Factors Received
73% (36/49)
68% (39/57)

2nd Serve Factors Received
28% (11/40)
57% (21/37)

Break Factors Saved
33% (3/9)
83% (10/12)

1st Return Factors Received
32% (18/57)
27% (13/49(

2nd Return Factors Received
43% (16/37)
73% (29/40)

Break Factors Transformed
17% (2/12)
67% (6/9)

Winners
33
25

Unforced Errors
51
26

Web Factors Received
59% (10/17)
76% (13/17)

Service Factors Received
53% (47/89)
64% (60/94)

Receiving Factors Received
36% (34/94)
47% (42/89)

Complete Factors Received
44% (81/183)
56% (102/183)

Highlights

Shelton Upsets Tiafoe

shelton tiafoe us open 2023

One other big-hitting show from Ben Shelton noticed him dispatch Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 within the night time session on Arthur Ashe.

The pair cut up the primary two units, and it was comparatively even, however a topsy-turvy third set swung the match in Shelton’s favour and from there, he maintained his benefit, breaking early within the fourth, gaining an insurance coverage break after which sealing it in three hours and 7 minutes.

For Tiafoe, it was a fairly flat efficiency in comparison with what he normally brings to the courtroom, and the third set was fully in every single place, with six breaks of serve within the first eight video games.

Simply when it appeared Shelton had it on his racket at 6-4 within the breaker, he fired down back-to-back double faults to present Tiafoe set level on serve at 6-7, however a Novak-esque eyes-closed return landed flush within the nook to reserve it earlier than he took it 9-7.

Shelton is rewarded with a semi-final towards Djokovic, which might be one other ball sport, as his skill to remain the course from the baseline might be severely examined. He’ll must play lights-out first-strike tennis.