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Novak Djokovic vs. Gael Monfils: Score and Reaction from 2016 US Open
- Updated: September 9, 2016
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic punched his ticket to the U.S. Open final Friday with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 victory over 10th-seeded Gael Monfils in perhaps the wildest match of the tournament.
Djoker defeated the Frenchman, who appeared disinterested, bewildered and lacking in terms of effort for the first two sets before mounting a comeback and making a match of it.
With the win, Nole reached his seventh career U.S. Open final and sixth in the past seven years. It also marks his third Grand Slam final appearance of 2016.
According to ATP Media Info, seven U.S. Open finals puts Djokovic in some elite company:
[1] @DjokerNole in 7th #USOpen F, 1 shy of Open Era record, and 21st Grand Slam F, passing @RafaelNadal for 2nd all-time (@RogerFederer 27).
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 9, 2016
Djokovic entered the match fresh after two of his opponents retired and one was a walkover. That manifested itself into a quick start, as he needed just 16 minutes to take a 5-0 lead over Monfils in the first set.
While the 12-time Grand Slam champion was in great form, Monfils was hardly putting up a fight, as evidenced by this photo courtesy of We Are Tennis:
This is how #Monfils returns #Djokovic’s serve in this end of 1st set #USOpen pic.twitter.com/uGTufBZFGd
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) September 9, 2016
His bizarre approach seemingly started to get inside Djokovic’s head, though, as the Serb struggled to serve out the set, and Monfils managed to cut the 5-0 deficit to 5-3.
The two-time U.S. Open champion dug deep and took the set 6-3, however, which broke an impressive run by Monfils, per ATP Media Info:
After jumping out to 5-0 lead, @DjokerNole holds on to win opening set 6-3 vs @Gael_Monfils @USOpen. Monfils loses 1st set since Rio QF.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 9, 2016
After regaining some momentum near the end of the opening set, Monfils continued to employ the same tactics in the second.
That prompted Carole Bouchard of SI.com to bring up the possibility of a physical issue with the 30-year-old underdog:
Wondering if Gaël is injured or something. This is too weird.
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) September 9, 2016
Much like the first set, the second set started to get away from Monfils quickly, as he fell behind 5-1 after holding serve to start.
With Monfils’ style of play quickly pushing him toward the brink of elimination, ESPN’s LZ Granderson didn’t believe coach Mikael Tillstrom looked particularly thrilled with his effort:
Monfils’ coach totally has a “wait until your father gets home” face. #USOpen
— LZ Granderson (@Locs_n_Laughs) September 9, 2016
Although Monfils’ strange antics benefited Djokovic, it was clear on numerous …
