Novak Djokovic beats American Ben Shelton in US Open semifinals

As anticipated, 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will face a surging, joyful 20-year-old at the final tennis major of the year. But he'll do so one round earlier than expected. With a matchup against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz still looming in Sunday's final, Djokovic will first face Ben Shelton, the big-hitting, bigger-smiling American who took down two of the top-ranked U.S. men, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, in back-to-back matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium this week.

"I'm pretty pumped about the opportunity to go back out there and have the same feeling I have today against another really tough opponent," Shelton said after his four-set win over Tiafoe in the quarterfinals late Tuesday. "I've been enjoying every moment on court, the interactions with the crowd and the tennis that's being played."

Being two sets down against Djokovic is a place where no tennis player wants to be and, despite being behind, Ben Shelton will be proud of his efforts in the final set.

The world No. 47 toiled away, making it difficult for Djokovic to advance to the final, and he was even able to break the serve of the 23-time grand slam winner twice during the final frame – forcing a tiebreak.

Djokovic eventually took the third set in the tiebreak and celebrated by imitating his opponent’s celebration – which involves miming holding a phone to his ear and then hanging it up – something that has become a trademark of Shelton’s victories during his US Open run.

Novak Djokovic  will become the new world No. 1 on Monday when the new rankings come out regardless of the final outcome. Because the star didn't play the U.S. Open last year, he had no points to defend, resulting in a ranking boost.

With the upstart’s best showing, to date, now behind him, Shelton, who entered the day with a tournament-high 76 aces, will be able to hang his hat on his strong performance—and post-match comeback—against one of the greats.

As for Djokovic, a rematch against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz or Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final now awaits with the 36-year-old’s shot at a fourth U.S. Open title and 24th Grand Slam championship on the line.

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 Sarah H

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