Djokovic advances to U.S. Open semifinals after again winning via retirement

Serbian world No. 1 and top seed Novak Djokovic has advanced once again at this year’s U.S. Open without playing a complete match, reaching the tournament’s final four when Frenchman JoWilfried Tsonga retired after losing the first two sets of their quarterfinal contest.

Djokovic was leading 63, 62 Tuesday night when the ninthseeded Tsonga grabbed his left knee once again, grimaced and said he could not continue the match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“This Grand Slam is very unique for me. I never experienced something like this to have three retirements on the road to the semifinals,” the 12time Grand Slam champion said.

Djokovic defeated Czech Jiri Vesely by walkover in the second round and then advanced to the fourth round when Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny retired midway through the first set.

But if the Serbian has concerns about a lack of match practice heading into his semifinal clash against supremely talented and newly focused Frenchman Gael Monfils, he did not vocalize them in his postmatch press conference.

“Considering some physical issues I have had in the last month, month and a half, this was the scenario that I needed and I wished for. I got a lot of days off and recovered my body. Right now I’m feeling very close to the peak,” Djokovic said.

With the win, the 29yearold world No. 1 advanced to Friday’s U.S. Open men’s semifinals for the 10th straight year. He has a 63 record at the semifinal stage but just a 24 mark in the final of tennis’ final Grand Slam event of the season.

Djokovic and Monfils played this summer at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, a match in which the Serbian had a battle on his hands at first before grinding the Frenchman down in long rallies.

The other match Tuesday night was also a disappointment for the fans, as Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the semifinals with a 60, 62 victory over Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, who was battling an ankle injury.

The unseeded Wozniacki, a twotime finalist at the U.S. Open, will next take on secondseeded German Angelique Kerber on Thursday in a battle of two of the fittest and most consistent players on the WTA Tour.

Kerber, who won tennis’ other hardcourt Grand Slam, the Australian Open, earlier this year, is seeking her first berth in a U.S. Open final.