Djokovic into US Open semis as Tsonga retires
| US Open |
|---|
| Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 29 August-11 September |
| Coverage: Live commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra plus live text on the big matches on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Defending champion Novak Djokovic reached the US Open semi-finals after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became his third opponent unable to complete a match.
The Serb, 29, led 6-3 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium when French ninth seed Tsonga retired with a left knee injury.
Djokovic has completed just two of five matches in New York, benefiting from a walkover and two retirements.
He will face another Frenchman in the last four after Gael Monfils beat compatriot Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-3 6-3.
Second seed Andy Murray takes on sixth seed Kei Nishikori on Wednesday, before Juan Martin del Potro and Stan Wawrinka play the last of the quarter-finals.
In the women’s draw on Tuesday, Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki beat Anastasija Sevastova 6-0 6-2 in another match marred by injury, with the Latvian severely hampered by a twisted ankle.
Wozniacki won easily to set up a semi-final against German second seed Angelique Kerber, who beat Italy’s Roberta Vinci 7-5 6-0.
Another early night for Djokovic
Djokovic has been struggling with wrist and arm injuries, but there were few signs of vulnerability against Tsonga.
The Serb had won 13 of their last 14 matches, stretching back five years, and once again the Frenchman’s flair and power were no match for the precision of the world number one.
Tsonga had fleeting chances in the first set, missing a backhand on break point in game five and clinching a break when Djokovic snatched at a volley in game seven.
However, the Frenchman had already given up his own serve with three double faults and a wayward backhand, and would make it three breaks in a row to fall 5-3 behind.
Despite some typical flashes of inspiration, Tsonga hit 19 unforced errors and failed to win a point on his second serve as the steadier Djokovic took the opening set in 35 minutes.
Tsonga looked bemused and out of ideas, his predicament worsening when he required a medical timeout for attention to his left knee after falling a double break down in the second set.
| Djokovic’s route to the last four |
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| Round one: Djokovic beats Jerzy Janowicz in four sets (2hrs 37mins) |
| Round two: Djokovic gets a walkover after Jiri Vesely withdraws with a forearm injury |
| Round three: Djokovic leads 4-2 when Mikhail Youzhny retires with a leg injury (31mins) |
| Round four: Djokovic beats Kyle Edmund in three sets (1hr 55mins) |
| Quarter-final: Djokovic leads 6-3 6-2 when Tsonga retires with a knee injury (1hr 21mins) |
Djokovic sealed the set with an ace, and with Tsonga unable to push up when serving, the ninth seed approached the net and held out his hand to bring an end to the action after 81 minutes.
“I have to say it again, I really wish Jo a quick recovery,” said Djokovic, who is through to his 10th consecutive semi-final in New York.
“It’s never nice to be on court in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam and retiring after a few sets. I know Jo well, he’s a fighter, somebody who loves the big stage, and this is something I’m sure he didn’t wish for.”
Monfils dominates in ‘second home’
Pouille made 44 unforced errors as the five-set win over Rafael Nadal appeared to take its toll on the 22-year-old, with Monfils dominating across three sets.
Monfils, 30, maintained his momentum either side of a 15-minute rain delay to secure his first Grand Slam semi-final appearance since the 2008 French Open.
“It’s a court I love,” he told the New York crowd. “I always say that the French is my home, but this one is my second.”
Monfils has yet to drop a set in five matches at Flushing Meadows.