US Open: Novak Djokovic survives ANOTHER early scare at the US Open to reach last four

Novak Djokovic survives ANOTHER early scare at the US Open to keep his hopes of a calendar Grand Slam alive as he sweeps Matteo Berrettini aside

  • Novak Djokovic was made to work hard by Matteo Berrettini at the US Open
  • In a re-run of their Wimbledon final, the World No 1 again won it in four sets
  • His hopes of a calendar grand slam now face a test against Alexander Zverev 


Novak Djokovic survived the biggest test so far in his bid for the calendar grand slam by coming from a set down against Matteo Berrettini to reach the US Open semi-finals.

The world No 1 has been a cut above the rest of the field in 2021 and is looking to complete the set with the title in New York, having already lifted the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles.

In a rematch of the Wimbledon final a few months ago, there was a sense of deja vu when Djokovic dropped the opening set to big-serving sixth seed Berrettini.

Novak Djokovic roared his way into the semi-finals of the US Open early on Thursday morning

He defeated Italian Matteo Berrettini in four sets, just as he did in this year's Wimbledon final

He defeated Italian Matteo Berrettini in four sets, just as he did in this year’s Wimbledon final

Djokovic, the world No 1, is still looking to finish off a phenomenal calendar grand slam

Djokovic, the world No 1, is still looking to finish off a phenomenal calendar grand slam

But in the end, just as at Wimbledon, Djokovic struck back to win in four, triumphing 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in three hours and 26 minutes.

The Serbian’s task does not get any easier, though, as his semi-final opponent is Alexander Zverev, the man who denied him a shot at the golden slam by beating him at the Tokyo Olympics.

Djokovic said on court following his latest win: ‘He’s in tremendous form, he’s been winning a lot. He has comfortably moved to the semi-finals here.

Berrettini, as he did at Wimbledon, took the first set to give Djokovic an early scare in New York

Berrettini, as he did at Wimbledon, took the first set to give Djokovic an early scare in New York

‘I know his game well, we played in Tokyo. He’s one of the best players in the world, but the bigger the challenge the more glory in overcoming it.

‘This was a great match, with a lot of energy on and off the court. Matteo is a terrific player and every time we face each other it’s a close battle.

‘When I lost the first set I managed to forget about it and move on. I was locked in at the start of the second and it was the best three sets I’ve played so far.’

It was a 26th consecutive victory at a major for Djokovic and came on the 52nd anniversary of Rod Laver becoming the last man to win all four grand slam events in the same year.

But it was far from plain sailing in a brutal 77-minute first set in which both players put each other’s serve under intense scrutiny. 

Keeping Djokovic down for long is tough and the Serbian soon found his feet to secure victory

Keeping Djokovic down for long is tough and the Serbian soon found his feet to secure victory

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