World No1 Novak Djokovic believes the ease with which he defeated defending champion Main Cilic to make it to his fourth consecutive grand slam final shows his game is exactly where it needs to be and that has put him in the right frame of mind ahead of the final.
Djokovic, the 2011 champion, booked a place in the US Open final for the sixth time with a record 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 rout of Cilic in the most one-sided US Open semi-final of the modern era. And the Serb feels confident he can take that form into the title clash.
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“Knowing that Marin carried that injury for the last couple of matches… I didn’t allow that fact to distract me too much. I just wanted to concentrate on what I needed to do on the court and come out with the right intensity, make him move, get as many, you know, returns back in play. All in all, it was from my side a very solid match, and I take that as a confidence booster for the final,” Djokovic said.
The 28-year-old said he knows the pressure of expectation is always there whenever he plays in a grand slam but he added that he is already proud of his performance at the US Open so far.
“Expectations are always there from myself and from the people around me. I came here with a wish and a mission, as well, to reach the final and fight for the trophy. So I got myself in that position. It’s already a great result. But I want to get that final step on Sunday and get my hands on that trophy.”
#Federer #Djokovic H2H couldn’t be closer. 21-20 career, 3-2 #USOpen. Will Roger widen the gap or Djokovic level? pic.twitter.com/j06LCS1O0T
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2015
Djokovic takes on Roger Federer for the 42nd time, with the Swiss leading the head-to-head 21-20. And the world No1 knows it’s not going to a simple task given the way Federer has played in New York.
“Obviously we all know how consistent he is and how good he is in the latter stages of a grand slam and any other big tournament. He’s always going to perform on a high level,” said Djokovic.
“He always makes you play your best. So in order to win a grand slam title I have to be on top of my game, as well.
“I know that he’s also lately being very aggressive coming to the net, mixing up, and trying to shorten out the points. I think also he improved his speed. His defensive game is better than it was. Maybe healthier,” said Djokovic, a nine-time major winner.
Federer has surprised many opponents with his new chip-and-charge off the second serve but Djokovic does not see that as a threat.
“I haven’t considered doing that. It’s an exciting shot for him. For the player opposite side of the net, not so much. So I have nothing else to say about that,” added the Serb.
