Those who wanted a miracle, were left wanting. Novak Djokovic made good predictions and without much regard defeated the American Ben Shelton in three sets, 6-3, 6-2 and 7-6 (4). "I feel that I have something left in my legs, something to give to this sport," said the veteran, thinking of a final against Alcaraz or Medvedev.
Djokovic's statistics and data continue to enhance his legend. This was his 47th semi-final of one of the greats. Of the last 23 that he has played, he has only lost one. “It doesn't give me a significant advantage. Once you get out on the track, it's a marathon”, Djokovic said in the tunnel, with a modesty that sounded false, seeing who he had on the other side of the net. Shelton, No. 47 in the world, turned professional just 13 months ago. These were the first semi-finals of his young career. The difference in experience between them was abysmal and became evident as soon as the action began.
Djokovic expected a barrage of services from Shelton, who can take out at 240 km / h. However, the bombardment remained a sporadic fire that did not impact the Serb domain. The American's large number of unforced errors didn't help. Djokovic broke serve in the sixth game and pressed in the eighth, to try and win the set on break. But Shelton defended himself: if his opponent wanted to win the set, he would have to serve. And so he did it.
“When I enjoy myself, I play better,” says Carlos Alcaraz. And that is what Shelton was missing, who like the Murcian, is one of those who competes while enjoying himself. He showed no signs of having a good time. His opponent barely let him breathe and continued to rush him. Shelton was trying to go to the net more, but he had no weapons in his arsenal to combat Djokovic. He surrendered his serve in the fifth and seventh games, so that the Belgrade player went two sets to zero.
With the match practically lost, the young tennis player begins to loosen up a little. He now celebrates more the points he wins. Novak takes Shelton's serve in the first game but he recovers it in the eighth. Ashe is flooded with shouts of “USA, USA” and the one from Atlanta begins to enjoy. At 5-4 he has set point, which the Serbian overcomes. The next game, he breaks the Serbian and takes 6-5 and his serve to close the match. But things get complicated when Shelton gets past a match point and breaks to force the sudden death, which Djokovic took.
In a mocking gesture at his rival, who celebrates his victories by pretending to make a hotline call, Novak hung up the phone.
