Novak Djokovic takes another step towards a second US Open title
Wednesday 9 September 2015 08:13, UK
Top seed Novak Djokovic needed four sets to reach the semi-finals of the US Open, as he beat Feliciano Lopez in the night session at Flushing Meadows.
The Serb fended off the No 18 seed 6-1 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-2) to reach his ninth successive semi-final at Flushing Meadows and set up a clash with defending champion Marin Cilic.
In a closely fought contest, there were just four breaks of serve including two in the opening set, which Djokovic wrapped up in only 26 minutes.
But the Spaniard responded by winning the first three games of the second set and held on to level matters at one apiece.
The final 19 games of the match all went with serve before Djokovic breezed through the fourth set tie-break, during which he won six straight points.
The match finished just after 1am local time and Djokovic admitted it was a tough encounter: "It was frustrating at times.
"But this is the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam. This is what you expect.
"He's one of the rare players who actually serves and volleys after the first and second serves, He's got a very big serve.
"It was anybody's game in the fourth set. I'm just glad to get through in four."
Lopez served up 14 aces, while Dojokovic registered nine.
Djokovic has now reached the semi-finals in 21 of the last 22 Grand Slam events, but has not won the US Open since 2011.
The Serb, 61-5 with six tournament titles this season, will face defending champion Marin Cilic of Croatia in the semi-finals. The ninth-seeded Cilic advanced with a five-set win against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
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