FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 18 Djokovic to face Nishikori

20 break points and made 53 “I needed that rest,” said Djok- Two-time champion unforced errors before he was ovic, who finally gained the de- • finally able to accomplish what cisive break in the penultimate enters his 11th US Federer couldn’t in seeing off game of the final set then served Open semi-final Millman. it out at love. “Very tested,” said Djokovic, KNOW WHAT “I gave it a crack,” said the who admitted that like many 29-year-old Millman, who has AFP | New York he was surprised to find him- battled a litany of injuries in his self facing Millman, not Federer, career. wo-time champion No- across the net. Djokovic did an “I definitely left it all out there vak Djokovic ended John “But Millman is the kind of a impression of today and pulled up a bit short. TMillman’s fairytale US player that makes you miss the John McEnroe Novak’s a champion. He’s played Open run on Wednesday, beating balls, makes you win the point, after his fourth a lot of Grand Slams and he the 55th-ranked Australian in earn the point. round match knows how to win them.” straight sets to book a semi-final “He doesn’t miss a lot himself, victory at the Japan’s Nishikori, who clash with Kei Nishikori. so he just runs left, right, gets a missed last year’s US Open af- The Serbian star, who ended lot of balls. Tactically, you’ve got 2009 US Open, ter a season-ending wrist in - a 54-week title drought with his to find the right balance between before playing a jury, joined compatriot Naomi 13th Grand Slam title at Wim- being patient but constructive brief game with Osaka in reaching the semis -- bledon, defeated the tenacious in the point, but at the same McEnroe, much the first time that a Japanese Aussie 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his time, be aggressive and take the to the delight of man and woman have reached 11th US Open semi-final in his chance when you have a shorter the audience the last four in the same Grand last 11 appearances. ball. It’s easier said than done.” Slam. He lifted the trophy in 2011 It was clear that it could be Nishikori stunned then-world and 2015. a long night when the players taining rallies. number one Djokovic in the Nishikori, the 21st seed, ad- battled for more than 15 minutes Millman, his clothes soaked, semi-finals in 2014 to become vanced with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), in the sixth game of the opening made the unorthodox request to the first man from an Asian 4-6, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic set, Millman saving four break go change after the fourth game country to reach the champion- -- the man who beat him in the points. of the second set -- Djokovic ship match of a major. 2014 final. Novak Djokovic The Aussie saved another four agreeing. But he hasn’t returned to a Millman, who stunned five-ti in the opening game of the sec- “He was apologizing he felt Grand Slam final since, falling in me champion Roger Federer in himself -- for 2 hours 49 minutes “You survive on the court then ond set and as the duel contin- very sorry that he has to leave the US Open semis in 2016. the fourth round, kept Djokovic on another hot, humid night on thrive with a win,” said Djokovic, ued both players were clearly the court and change. I said, Against Cilic he laboured for running -- and was kept running Arthur Ashe Stadium. who converted just four of his feeling the effects of long, enter- ‘Man, go ahead.’ 4 hours and 8 minutes.

Japanese players reach US Open semis Osaka ends Japan’s wait Two Japanese players reach the 2018 semi-finals, one in the women’s singles and another in the men’s

AFP | New York Naomi Kei Osaka Nishikori aomi Osaka became the 20 Age 28 Nfirst Japanese woman in 22 years to reach the semi-finals Osaka, Japan Birthplace Shimane, Japan of a Grand Slam on Wednes- Turned day when she defeated Lesia 2013 pro 2007 Tsurenko 6-1, 6-1 in the last- Career eight of the US Open, admitting 163/114 won/lost 354-168 she was “freaking out” inside. Osaka wasn’t born when 20 Seeding 21 compatriot Kimiko Date made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1996 but now the 20-year-old has the opportunity to go one Naomi Osaka better by reaching a maiden Grand Slam final. ings including the third round “I was freaking out inside and Later Wednesday, Osaka was at the US Open in 2016 when my whole body was shaking but Career prize joined in the record books by she battled back from 1-5 in the overall I am most proud of not $3,232,734 money $19,286,966 compatriot Kei Nishikori who final set to triumph. breaking a racquet.” reached his third semi-final at “It really means a lot to get to Osaka, the daughter of a Jap- Source : WTA/ATP/AFP Photo the US Open. the semis,” said Osaka whose anese mother and Haitian fa- It’s the first time that a Jap- post-match, on-court interview ther, said she enjoyed playing in anese man and woman have endeared her further to a grow- the blistering heat of New York made the semis at the same ing legion of fans. which has been such a talking Novak Djokovic: ‘I have never seen Slam. Osaka celebrated her win point of the tournament. To get to Saturday’s cham- calmly and coolly unlike the “I really don’t think it’s that pionship match, 20th seed floods of tears which greeted hot, sorry. I’m used to Florida Roger Federer like this’ Osaka will have to get past US her last-16 victory over Aryna heat. I like sweating.” 14th seed Madison Keys who Sabalenka. Osaka swept aside 36th- Express | New York breezed past Spain’s Carla Su- “I cried a lot last time and ranked Tsurenko in just 57 min- arez Navarro 6-4, 6-3. there were lots of people mak- utes as the Ukrainian’s chal- ovak Djokovic says he has Keys, the 2017 runner-up, ing fun of me. So this time I lenge fizzled out in a deluge of Nnever seen Roger Federer leads Osaka 3-0 in career meet- went straight to the net. mistakes. sweat as much as he did against John Millman. The Swiss star struggled to breathe in the hot and humid Arthur Ashe Stadium, caused Japan hails historic run to US Open semis by the lack of ventilation while the roof was shut. AFP | Tokyo “Osaka was in full throttle Meanwhile, Nishikori’s vic- And Djokovic could not be- from the start,” Nikkan Sports tory over Marin Cilic was seen lieve how much the world No apanese media and fans said in its digital edition, re - as sweet revenge for the 2014 2 was sweating during the loss Jyesterday rained down the viewing her quarter-final vic- US Open final, which ended in - and he was even more shocked Roger Federer and John Millman superlatives on tennis stars tory. victory for the giant Croat. Federer was dumped out of the Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osa- “She showed her strength “Nishikori gets his revenge competition. ka who made history by both and accuracy, as well as a cool on Cilic,” said a Sports Nippon But he took time to express much. But we saw him couple reaching the US Open semi-fi- intellect to predict how her op- headline. his surprise about seeing the nights ago.” nals. ponent would move.” Excited fans cheered on the 20-time Grand Slam soaking Djokovic was expected “There is no stopping the “She has taken a step into un- Japanese players and allowed wet during his encounter. I watched the to play Federer in the quar - Japanese players,” screamed charted territory for Japanese themselves to dream about sil- “I personally have never second part of the ter-finals but Millman spoiled the Nikkan Gendai tabloid, after women in New York,” the paper verware. sweated as much as I have match, and Roger the party with his impres - the pair became the first from added. “Great! I want to see her go here,” Djokovic said. was not playing sive display earlier in the the country to secure semi-final Osaka’s feat was credited against Serena in the final,” said “Incredible. I mean, I have to week. berths in both singles competi- with lifting the share price of one Twitter user. take at least 10 shirts for every well. It was not “I think, alongside many tions during a Grand Slam. her racquet producer Yonex, “Awesome! Nishikori-san match. his day. He was other people, anticipating the Particular praise was heaped which soared more than 10 and Naomi Osaka get into the “It’s literally after two games missing a lot match against Federer, and it on Osaka, who became the first percent on the Tokyo Stock semi-finals. Next match is vs you’re soaking, you know. NOVAK DJOKOVIC was a surprise to see Millman Japanese woman to get into the Exchange while the headline Djokovic. Please win,” wrote “And Roger, you mentioned win the match,” Djokovic add- top four at the US Open. Nikkei index sank. another. him. He never sweats that ed.