US Open 2018: Novak Djokovic marches past John Millman into semi-final

Source: BBC News:

September 6, 2018 at 16:24

Novak Djokovic won the US Open in 2011 and 2015

Novak Djokovic reached the US Open semi-finals after continuing his flawless record in the last eight with victory over Roger Federer's conqueror John Millman.

The 31-year-old earned a 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory over the Australian world number 55.

The Serb, twice champion at Flushing Meadows, has now won all 11 of his quarter-final matches in New York.

He goes on to play Japan's Kei Nishikori in the last four on Friday.

Djokovic missed last year's tournament with an elbow injury but has now reached at least the semi-finals in every appearance at Flushing Meadows since 2007.

The victory was not as easy for the sixth seed as the scoreline suggested, Australian Millman providing stoic resistance before Djokovic came through to take his first match point after two hours 49 minutes, just before midnight local time.

Djokovic moves closer to Sampras records

Djokovic has gone on to reach the final seven times from those 11 straight last-four appearances, and victory over Nishikori would move him alongside Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl's record appearances total in the men's showpiece.

A bigger piece of history awaits, however, if he can go all the way in New York - a 14th Grand Slam victory would rank him alongside Sampras, and behind only Federer (20) and Nadal (17), in major triumphs.

But first he had to get past the energetic Millman on another stuffy night on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic had breezed past the Australian on grass at Queen's Club in June - their only previous meeting - dropping just three games.

This time he was made to work much harder.

The former world number one missed 16 of 20 break points, and was pegged back from 3-1 up in the third set, before winning 12 of the final 15 points to advance.

Heat causes more problems as Millman forced off court

A failure to convert break points was not the only problem faced by Djokovic.

Not for the first time at the tournament he struggled in the conditions which, although still hot and humid, appeared much easier than on previous nights.

He was given some tablets during the second set - but declined to say what they were when asked in his post-match media conference.

"I personally have never sweat as much as I have here. Incredible. I have to take at least 10 shirts for every match. It's literally after two games and you're soaking," Djokovic said.

"I asked the chair umpire whether they are using some form of ventilation or air conditioning down at the court level, and he says that 'he's not aware of it', that, you know, only what comes through the hallway type of thing.

"I think that this tournament needs to address this. I mean, because whether it's night or day, we just don't have air down there. It feels like sauna."

Djokovic was also given time violations in successive points when serving at 3-2 in the third set, meaning he lost his first serve while break point down, and Millman duly capitalised.

The Australian also suffered with the heat, having to disappear off court at 2-2 in the second set to change his sweat-soaked kit.

"[In] these night matches, the humidity goes through the roof," he said.

"It is tricky, but it's the same for both people. You're dripping. But, that's no excuse or anything. I'd play in a swimming pool if I got to play a quarter-final every week at a Grand Slam."

Ball boys and girls had to wipe the court with towels between games, and the USTA issued a statement afterwards confirming the chair umpire allowed Millman to leave the court after determining the surface was "dangerous".

Millman leaves with reputation and ranking enhanced

Millman produced a big shock when he inflicted a four-set defeat on Swiss second seed Federer in the last 16, ending the possibility of a meeting between two of the game's greats in the quarter-finals.

The affection of the New York crowd followed Millman into his match against Djokovic - and he thrived on the backing.

The 29-year-old, often chatting and interacting with his supporters in the stands, fed off the crowd's energy as he continued to frustrate Djokovic.

He entertained them with some remarkable retrieving, in addition to clutch serving and the odd brilliant winner, on his way to seeing off 11 break points - between the ones Djokovic did convert for a 2-0 lead in the first set and a 5-4 advantage in the second.

But he was unable to test the Serb's serve often and when he did, breaking back to level the third set at 3-3, Djokovic hit straight back.

Nevertheless he will leave New York with an enhanced reputation and a career-high ranking of 37 after reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent

Millman kept Djokovic on court for as long as he possibly could, and at times drove him to distraction with some breathtaking retrieving.

The Serb could only convert one of his first 13 break points, and again seemed to struggle in the high humidity. At one point he requested a nasal spray.

The frustration of being docked a first serve for slow play late in the match soon passed, and a straight-set victory is always gratefully accepted in a Grand Slam quarter-final. Djokovic won just before the stroke of midnight in less than three hours, a luxury not afforded to Rafael Nadal the previous night.