Novak Djokovic has brutally taken down Ben Shelton after his straight-sets victory within the semi-final of the US Open, mocking the 20-year-old American’s iconic “phone” celebration.
Shelton’s signature celebration, which he has stated he’s used to point he’s “dialled in”, evidently irked the normally composed Djokovic, who mimed a telephone being put down after the 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 win.
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Commentators on ESPN famous the pair had been lower than pleasant within the ensuing handshake as effectively.
“Hang up the phone folks, that was it,” an ESPN commentator stated.
“Wasn’t the warmest handshake that you’d normally see from Djokovic, he normally gives you a pat on the back or even a semi-hug, pats your belly or something.
“I’m not sure what it was, maybe he didn’t want to give anything to the 20-year-old, he knows he might have to face him a few more times.”
The win earns Djokovic one other shot at a record-equalling twenty fourth Grand Slam title after beating unseeded American to advance to his tenth US Open last.
It units up a possible repeat of his Wimbledon last towards Carlos Alcaraz, who faces Daniil Medvedev within the different semi-final.
“Another Grand Slam final. I can’t be happier with where I am,” Djokovic stated, who will return to primary on the earth after the US Open.
“I expect the toughest match of the tournament for me, regardless of who’s going to be across the net.”
The tennis world lit up in response to Djokovic’s brutal celebration.
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado was bowled over by it.
“Safe to say Novak Djokovic had sufficient of Ben Shelton‘s today,” Morgado wrote on Twitter.
“Imitated his post match point celebration …
“Ben saw and didn‘t like. Cold handshake.”
Fellow journalist Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca, however, found it explicitly disrespectful.
“Completely unnecessary celebration from 36-year-old Novak Djokovic after beating a 20-year-old Ben Shelton, who was playing the biggest match of his career in front of his home crowd and was never disrespectful towards him,” Lanca wrote.
Djokovic is attempting to become the oldest men’s champion in New York within the Open period, which might additionally see him match Australian Margaret Court’s all-time mark for many main singles titles.
The Serbian has now received 22 of his final 23 Grand Slam semi-finals. He captured the final of his three US Open titles in 2018.
Djokovic has reached the ultimate in any respect 4 majors in the identical yr for the third time.
He will attempt to declare three Grand Slams in the identical season for the fourth time in his profession.
Facing Shelton for the primary time, with the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium closed because of the risk of rain, Djokovic landed the primary blow by breaking for a 4-2 lead within the opening set.
Shelton confirmed large grit to save lots of 4 set factors on his serve at 2-5, carving out a degree to interrupt again the following recreation just for Djokovic to see out the set on the fifth time of asking.
The world quantity 47 pushed a forehand broad to current Djokovic with two break factors at 2-2 within the second set, coughing up an premature double fault to once more reward his rival the higher hand.
Djokovic pressed residence his benefit with a second break and surged two units clear after Shelton buried a backhand return into the web.
A passing forehand winner gave Djokovic one other break to open the third set, however Shelton put up a late act of defiance to interrupt again for 4-all and even conjured a set level within the tenth recreation.
Djokovic produced a clutch serve out broad on the best way to a battling maintain, punishing Shelton for a sloppy ensuing recreation however then stumbling himself with the end in sight.
Shelton saved a match level to interrupt and ship the set to a tie-break earlier than Djokovic hauled himself over the road and right into a thirty sixth Grand Slam last.
– with AFP
Source: www.news.com.au
