US Open final: Djokovic goes for treble against Wawrinka

Defending champion, Novak Djokovic will take on third seed Stan Wawrinka in the US Open final after both men won semi-finals in punishing conditions.

Djokovic beat 10th seed Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in New York, with the Frenchman adopting unusual tactics to try and counter the world number one.

Stifling humidity was still a factor as Wawrinka beat Japan’s sixth seed Kei Nishikori 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

“It’s really humid, really hot. I knew it would be tough,” said Wawrinka.

Djokovic, 29, had treatment on both shoulders during the first semi-final, while Monfils could barely move at times as conditions took their toll.

“Humid,” is how the Serb described it. “I think that’s all we were thinking about and feeling.”

Monfils robustly rejected the notion that he did not give his all, saying: “I think I tried my best.”

Djokovic will attempt to win his third US Open and 13th Grand Slam title today, while Wawrinka – who beat Djokovic in last year’s French Open final – is going for a third major victory and first at Flushing Meadows.

Meanwhile, Wawrinka who dumped Nishikori to book showdown with Djokovic today said getting to the final is something crazy.

“Kei is a tough player and he played well from the beginning,” said Wawrinka, who had two years ago lost to the Japanese. “I had to wait and fight and make him a bit uncomfortable and he started to get tired.

“That is when I put my game to be aggressive. To be in the final is something crazy.”