So Novak Djokovic is human. Superhuman, that is. The world No. 1 dropped his first set of this U.S. Open, but still managed to steamroll Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium to cruise into Sunday’s semifinals.
“They were not easy conditions, the same for me and for Mikhail,” said Djokovic, who made his 14th straight Grand Slam semi, a stretch that dates back 3 ½ years. “He’s a great competitor, fighter, and in windy conditions he can be dangerous for anybody.I played well, and credit to him coming back in the third set.
“Well, definitely I’m always trying to play my best in the Grand Slams. The U.S. Open, especially at night, is the biggest stadium in the sport. The atmosphere was very electric, and the crowd gets into it and I was enjoying the match very much.’’
Djokovic hasn’t lost at a Grand Slam to a player not named Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray or Roger Federer since 2010, and when Stanislas Wawrinka upset Murray Thursday in straight sets, the path to the final got easier.
Djokovic has played Wawrinka 14 times, and after losing two of the first three as a teenager, Djokovic has won the last 11 against the ninth-seeded Swiss with the one-handed backhand.
“I had a tough hardcourt season coming into the U.S. Open,” Djokovic said. “I lost few tough matches against Nadal and [John] Isner. I’m working on my game. It’s the most important tournament in this part of the year, definitely.
“It’s going to be a very competitive match for both of us. It’s no very clear favorite. He showed why he’s top ten in the world.’’