By ADAM ZAGORIA
NEW YORK — When the summer began, Novak Djokovic had gone more than two years since winning his last Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2016.
At that point he held all four major titles and was the unquestioned king of a sport that also included fellow “Big Four” members Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
But personal issues and a persistent elbow injury kept him off the tour for the latter half of 2017 and some wondered whether he would ever regain his top form.
Now the 31-year-old Serb is one victory from winning his second Grand Slam title of 2018, putting him firmly back at the apex of the sport. If he beats Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in Sunday’s Open final, Djokovic will capture his third US Open title and his 14th Grand Slam crown, tying him for third all-time with Pete Sampras. Djokovic captured his 13th major at Wimbledon earlier this summer.
No. 6 Djokovic advanced to his eighth US Open final after handling his business against No. 21 Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in 2 hours, 23 minutes. He is just 2-5 in Flushing Fortnight finals, but has won nine straight Grand Slam semifinals.
“The majors are the biggest events we have in tennis and obviously every player wants to perform his best at Grand Slams,” Djokovic said. “I’ve been very fortunate over the last decade to really play well when it really mattered. I’ve lost some big matches here but I’ve also won some.
“Every time I come back to Arthur Ashe Staidum, I relive these memories and they give me a lot of strength.”
Most Grand Slam titles all-time among men:
Federer – 20
Nadal – 17
Sampras – 14
Djokovic – 13Djokovic can tie Sampras if he beats Del Potro and wins the Open on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Mrwpi8hBuq
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 8, 2018
Djokovic’s victory was expected considering he held a 14-2 advantage over Nishikori entering the match.
The surprise of the day happened in the other semifinal where defending champion and world No. 1 Nadal retired down two-sets-to-love against del Potro because of a right knee ailment.
Now instead of the 53rd meeting between Nadal and Djokovic, tennis fans on Sunday will see the 19th engagement between Djokovic and del Potro. Djokovic leads 14-4 all-time, 10-3 on hardcourts and 2-0 at the Open.
“Well, it will be a difficult match because we are close friends,” del Potro said. “For sure we both wants to win. But Novak has won the Wimbledon already. He’s playing so good. He will be the favorite to win on Sunday.
“But I don’t know. When I played Roger nine years ago, he was the favorite to win, as well. I will try to make the surprise again.”
Said Djokovic of playing his close friend: “We’ve never faced each other in a Grand Slam final so that’s going to be something new for us.
“I have tremendous respect for him as a person and as a player. He’s a great guy, he works very hard. He’s very respected in the locker room.
“He struggled a lot with his injuries. It kept him away from the tour for a couple of years. But he’s a big match player and he showed that against Nadal and in previous occasions. I’m sure it’s going to be a thrilling match.”
Djokovic leads Delpo 14-4 overall and 10-3 on hardcourts https://t.co/m8MHeUBiHw
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 8, 2018
Djokovic sounds like a man who knows he can make more history on Sunday and going forward.
“I’m trying to be the best I can be,” he said. “I’m working hard, as hard as anybody else. I’m trying to reach cdertain heights that I guess I visualize every time I accomplish something big.
“I don’t see any limits. I don’t see an end around the corner. I’ll keep on going. Hopefully you guys are enjoying my tennis, that’s all I can say.”
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