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Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has secured his place in the final of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season, where he will vie for the title for the tenth time, having won three of them. The Serbian, who will ascend to the world number one ranking next Monday, emerged victorious against the young American Ben Sheldon with set scores of 6/3, 6/2, and 7/6 (7-4).
The 36-year-old tennis player will be contending for his 24th major career trophy after winning his one hundredth match at Flushing Meadows, following a 2.40-hour clash with the 20-year-old player who became the youngest American to reach the domestic semifinals since Michael Chang in 1992.
“These are the kind of matches that keep me inspired to keep playing. The Grand Slams motivate us to give our best. I had to control my nerves and focus because the third set could have gone either way,” said Djokovic on the court. He will be competing in his 36th final of the four major tournaments, having reached the final in all of them for the third consecutive season.
Djokovic now awaits the winner of the match between Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz and Russian player Daniil Medvedev. “I’ll be kicking back with popcorn and drinks, watching that match,” joked the Serbian, who is still in the running to become the oldest singles champion in the Open Era in New York since Ken Rosewall was 35 years old when he won in 1970.
Nole is aiming for his fifth title of the season, having already claimed victory at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.