Novak Djokovic beats Alexander Zverev in US Open semi to close in on Grand Slam record

Andy Murray compared to Novak Djokovic by McEnroe

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Novak Djokovic is through to the US Open final after winning an epic five-setter against Alexander Zverev. The world number one recovered from losing the opening set to triumph 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-2, keeping his bid for a record breaking 21st Grand Slam alive. The Serbian, who will face Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final, is now also on the brink of his first calendar Grand Slam.

Russian second seed Medvedev had earlier kept his hopes of a first major title on track with a 6-4 7-5 6-2 win over Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Victory over Medvedev on Sunday would move Djokovic clear of the 20 majors won by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The 34-year-old would also become the first man to win all four majors in the same year since Australian Rod Laver in 1969.

“I am going to treat the next match like it is the last match in my career,” he said afterwards.

“There’s only one match left, all in, let’s do it. I’m going to put my heart and my soul and my body and my head into that one.”

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Djokovic is also seeking a fourth title win in Flushing Meadows, although his passage past fourth seed Zverev was anything but smooth.

In July, the German ended Djokovic’s hopes of a ‘Golden Slam’ by beating him at the Tokyo Olympics, and duly drew first blood this time around. 

Djokovic double-faulted to hand Zverev the chance to serve for the first set and although the German did the same on his fist set point, he made no mistake when a second chance arose.

Early in the second set though, Zverev produced a messy service game, missing an easy forehand and then again double faulting as Djokovic broke and proceeded to level matters.

Zverev missed two break points during the early stages of the third set and was made to pay when Djokovic later earned three set points. Zverez saved two of them, one after an incredible rally, only for an overhead smash put the Serbian in control.

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Zverev responded though and at 1-1 in the fourth set, a forehand winner gave him a break which proved decisive as he went on to level the match back up.

However, Djokovic was dominant in the decider, breaking the 24-year-old twice as he stormed into a 5-0 lead.

Zrevev did break back to delay the inevitable only to hand Djokovic match point in his next service game, only to find the net to end a contest than ran for three hours and 33 minutes.

Afterwards, Djokovic also praised the crowd in the Arthur Ashe stadium, lauding the “best atmosphere of the tournament so far.”

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