That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following along and be sure to check out Steve Brenner’s full match report from New York.
Djokovic will play in his 11th US Open semi-final on Friday against Kei Nishikori. That breaks a tie with Roger Federer and Andre Agassi for second-most semi-final appearances at Flushing Meadows in the Open era. The leader is still Jimmy Connors, who made the last four here a total of 14 times.
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Novak Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 over John Millman!
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Millman
Millman makes an unforced error, then Djokovic hits a volley winner. An unreturnable second serve makes it 40-love and Djokovic has three match points. And he’s done it, finishing it off with a backhand volley winner! Djokovic wins in straight sets and is through to a 10th US Open semi-final!
Djokovic breaks in ninth game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 5-4 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman opens with an unforced error on his serve, then blinks first in a 22-shot rally capped by a Djokovic backhand winner from the baseline for love-30. Squeaky-bum time for the Aussie. Now Djokovic forces Millman into an error with a punishing angled backhand into the corner and Djokovic will jhave three break-point chances. Millman saves the first when Djokovic sends a forehand long, a point upheld by a challenge. Then he saves the second when Djokovic pounds a forehand that hits the netcord but repels back to his side of the court. But the third time is the charm for the Serbian as Millman nets a forehand from just inside the baseline and Djokovic will serve for a place in the US Open semi-finals after the changeover.
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 4-4 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, who lost six straight points since the serve-clock warning, rebounds nicely with a tidy service game. They’re on serve in the third.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 3-4 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman rattles off four rapid-fire points to hold at love. An interesting wrinkle in what appeared to be the endgame.
Millman breaks in sixth game of third set!
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 3-3 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Millman scratches to 30-all on Djokovic’s serve and then Djokovic double-faults, giving Millman his first break-point chance since the opening set and only his second of the night. Then a serve-clock violation gives Djokovic a fault! And moments later Djokovic, behind a 82mph second serve, follows it with a bad error to give Millman the break of serve. Oh boy.
Meanwhile, the United States Tennis Association, which organizes the US Open, have just released a statement regarding that unusual break at 2-2 in the second.
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Third set: *Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 3-2 Millman (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is hitting a clean ball, the energy level is back up and he appears poised to close the show, winning a pair of quick points to move ahead love-30 on Millman’s serve and within two points of a double break lead. He sprays a backhand on the next point for 15-30 as Millman pumps his fist and attempts to motivate himself. Another unforced error by Djokovic, a backhand from the baseline with a bit too much on it, makes it 30-all. But Millman answers with a netted backhand early in the rally and Djokovic has a chance for a break that would effectively put the match on ice. And Millman saves it as Djokovic slumps to 3-for-16 on break points tonight. A forehand winner by Djokovic gives him a 17th shot, but Millman saves that one with a 118mph ace down the T. Deuce. Millman then paints the line with a backhand down the line, which Djokovic challenges in vain, and holds moments later thanks to a Djokovic misfire on the backhand side.
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 3-1 Millman* (*denotes next server)
A glimmer of hope for Millman as he rips a forehand winner at the net, nosing ahead love-15 on Djokovic’s serve. But Djokovic responds with a backhand winner from the baseline, then a pair of unreturnable 117mph serves for 40-15. A misfire on a Djokovic backhand narrows the margin, but he follows with another nasty service winner (challenged unsuccessfully) to hold and consolidate the break.
Djokovic breaks in third game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 Millman (*denotes next server)
Djokovic gets it to 30-all from 30-love, putting the pressure on Millman. And now the Aussie double-faults, giving Djokovic a break-point opportunity and chance to take inside track toward the finish line. And Djokovic converts! An eight-stroke rally ends when Millman sends a backhand long from the baseline.
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 1-1 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic falls behind love-15 and 15-30, but Millman accommodates with a handful of errors and Djokovic holds to stay on serve early in the third.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 0-1 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman’s first service game of the third set goes a tad better than his first of the second as he holds comfortably.
Djokovic wins second set to take 6-3, 6-4 lead!
Second set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 Millman
Djokovic has looked reinvigorated since the unschedule break and races out to 30-love and 40-15, staking a pair of set points. He needs only one, closing the show with a forehand volley winner at the net for a two-set lead. A 60min set followed by a 59min set.
Djokovic breaks in ninth game of second set!
Second set: *Djokovic 6-3, 5-4 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman falls behind love-30 on his serve after overcooking a backhand and his second double fault of the night. He comes back with a backhand passing winner on the run, but nets a forehand on the next point to give Djokovic a pair of break points. He squanders the first when he sends a backhand long, then can’t return a booming 121mph serve into play. That’s 11 straight unconverted break points for Djokovic. Another unreturnable serve by the Aussie gives him a game point, but he mishits a forehand to return it to deuce. Djokovic sents a forehand sailing past the line to give Millman another game point, but he overcooks another backhand. Deuce again. Now Millman chips in another unforced error and surely this must be it for Djokovic. And Millman double-faults! Oh dear! The Aussie hands it to him on a platter and Djokovic will serve for a two-set lead after the change of ends.
Second set: Djokovic 6-3, 4-4 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic opens with a backhand winner, but Millman answers in kind for 15-all. Djokovic hits a pair of serves that Millman can’t return in play and it’s 40-15. Millman then puts a forehand into the net and Djokovic has another easy hold.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-3, 3-4 Millman (*denotes next server)
A half-chance for Djokovic, perhaps, as Millman biffs a backhand on his serve for love-15. The Aussie answers with a pair of unreturnable serves, but misses badly on an overhand for 30-all. Now Millman sends another backhand wide of the line and Djokovic has another break-point chance. Keep in mind Djokovic has lost eight straight break points after breaking Millman early on. Make it nine. Deuce. A 27-shot rally breaks out, equaling the longest of the night, and Millman closes it with a forehand winner at the net. Moments later another forehand winner into the corner earns him the hold.
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Second set: Djokovic 6-3, 3-3 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic answers Millman’s love hold with a stress-free service game of his own, rattling off three quick points, double-faulting, then ripping a cross-court backhand winner at the net.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-3, 2-3 Millman (*denotes next server)
We’re back under way on Millman’s serve after about six and a half minutes since the last point and Djokovic resumes the action by driving a backhand into the net. Three more unforced errors by Djokovic gift Millman the hold at love. He’s made 32 of them on the night against 18 winners (compared to 19 and 13 for Millman, respectively).
Millman, who’s soaked with perspiration, approaches Djokovic at the net, although it’s not a changeover, and asks if he’ll allow him to walk off court to change his kit. A bit unusual, this. Djokovic seems OK with it (“I can take a little rest!”) and removes his shirt in his chair as Millman walks off court with a clean shirt, shorts and new sneakers. Meanwhile, a ballboy carries a bottle from Djokovic’s box to his chair and he’s being visited by a trainer. It’s been a few minutes and Millman is still off the court.
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Second set: Djokovic 6-3, 2-2 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic erupted at his box during the changeover. He apparently wanted something delivered to the court during the break but his team read the sign language incorrectly. Now Djokovic opens with a backhand passing winner, but tries a lob on the next point that Millman returns and the Serbian can only volley into the net. 15-all. Djokovic responds with a forehand winner from the baseline, but makes another backhand error for 30-all. It’s getting interesting. Millman then impatiently goes for a cross-court forehand winner early in the point and sends it well wide, shouting in anger after the point. Djokovic followes with a forehand winner for the hold.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-3, 1-2 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman comes through with his easiest hold of the evening as Djokovic, who’s been missing on easy balls, looks increasingly frustrated. On serve in the second.
Second set: Djokovic 6-3, 1-1 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Two quick points by Djokovic followed by a double fault, but he answers with a forehand winner from the baseline followed by a overcooked Millman forehand. Comfortable hold for the two-time US Open champion.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-3, 0-1 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman quickly falls behind love-40 in his opening service game of the second set, giving Djokovic three looks at a break point. He gamely saves all three with a little help from a couple of Djokovic unforced errors, but sends a backhand flying past the baseline on the next point to give Djokovic a fourth break chance. And Millman saves that too, somehow countering a beautiful drop shot/lob combination and watching as Djokovic dumps an elementary volley into the net. Deuce and Djokovic is doubled over after that point. The Serbian then makes another unforced error off the backhand side and Millman follows with a 121mph ace down the middle for the hold from love-40 down. Gripping stuff!
Djokovic wins first set, 6-3!
First set: Djokovic 6-3 Millman
Djokovic, breathing a bit heavy, falls behind love-30 for the second straight service game and it’s a glimmer of hope for Millman to get back on level terms in this set. But Millman sprays a backhand then blinks first in another extended rally and it’s 30-all. Now Djokovic rips a forehand winner that hits the netcord and falls in and he’s earned a set point, but he sends a forehand long on the next point for deuce. And now Djokovic stands under a lob for what seems like ages and pounds an overhead shot into the net, earning his first break-point chance of the set (and not a moment too soon!), but the Serbian saves it with a blistering inside-out forehand winner. A service winner by Djokovic earns him a second set point and this time he converts when Millman fires a forehand into the net, taking the opener after exactly one hour.
First set: *Djokovic 5-3 Millman (*denotes next server)
Djokovic makes another backhand error, but follows it with a crowd-pleasing forehand passing winner. Then Millman mishits a backhand but answers with a forehand winner for 30-all. The Aussie then pounds a 120mph ace down the middle, his first of the night, and Djokovic follows with an overcooked forehand as Millman holds. Djokovic to try and serve out the set.
First set: Djokovic 5-2 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, who’s been breezing along in his service games (winning 12 of 15 points on his serve), quickly falls behind love-30. But Millman accommodates with an unforced error off the backhand side and Djokovic crunches a 115mph ace out wide for 30-all. Then Djokovic paints the line with a gorgeous forehand, following it with a 110mph serve to the body that Millman can’t return into the court. It’s a hold and Millman will serve to stay in the first set after the changeover.
First set: *Djokovic 4-2 Millman (*denotes next server)
The players trade backhand unforced errors, then Djokovic comes to net and Millman hits a wonderful cross-court forehand winner. Djokovic then tries a drop shot from the baseline but Millman retrieves it and hits a backhand winner into the open court for 40-15. But two quick points by Djokovic and suddenly it’s gotten uncomfortable. Now Millman double-faults and Djokovic will have another break-point chance, but he puts a forehand into the net and they’re back to deuce. Another overcooked forehand by Millman gives Djokovic a break point, but Millman saves it again, this time with a forehand winner on the approach. Millman gets it to game point with an overhand winner but another punishing Djokovic forehand forces the error for a fourth deuce. Millman then misfires on a forehand (challenging it unsuccessfully) to gift Djokovic his third break point of the game, but the Aussie saves that one also with a forehand volley at the net. Millman then outlasts Djokovic in a 25-stroke rally for game point, but misplays a routine forehand for the sixth deuce of this marathon game. And shortly after a seventh. Now Djokovic rips a blistering backhand winner and he’s earned another break chance and Millman saves it. Whew. Millman then hits a backhand winner for game point and finally he’s held, after a game that spanned 22 points and more than 16 minutes, when Djokovic dumps a backhand into the net.
First set: Djokovic 4-1 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Millman makes a little headway on the Djokovic serve with a forehand passing winner, but Djokovic rattles off four quick points to hold comfortably. He’s won 12 of 15 points on his serve so far. Djokovic is hitting the ball very cleanly and at least early on it doesn’t seem there’s a whole lot Millman can do to trouble him.
First set: *Djokovic 3-1 Millman (*denotes next server)
Millman makes another unforced error off the backhand early in the rally, then is outlasted in a 24-shot exchange to fall behind love-30 on his serve. The Aussie pulls one back on a backhand winner, his first of the match from either side, then forces Djokovic to pull one into the net for 30-all. Another error by Djokovic makes it 40-30, but he gets it to deuce with a forehand volley winner at the net. From there he wins a pair of quick points to hold from love-30 down and get on the board.
First set: Djokovic 3-0 Millman* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic rattles off three quick points before mixing in a double fault, his first of the night. But Millman sprays a backhand well past the baseline on the next point and Djokovic holds easily in his second service game.
Djokovic breaks in second game of first set!
First set: *Djokovic 2-0 Millman (*denotes next server)
Djokovic makes an unforced error off the backhand, but Millman sends a forehand flying on the next point for 15-all. Millman hits a service winner for 30-15, then on the next point a grueling 26-stroke rally breaks out that ends when Millman misfires on a backhand. Millman then sends another backhand into the net and Djokovic will have the first break-point chance of the match at 30-40. And Millman saves it, getting the best of Djokovic in a 27-shot rally. But Djokovic earns a second look at a break with a forehand winner and this time he converts, crushing a laser-guided forehand into the corner early in a rally that Millman can barely get a racket on. Millman already doing a lot more running than Djokovic, which feels ominous.
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First set: Djokovic 1-0 Millman* (*denotes next server)
The players trade errors to start before Djokovic comes to net and hits a nifty drop-shot winner for 30-15. From there Millman nets a forehand from the baseline and then Djokovic comes to net once more to deposit a forehand volley winner into the open court. Easy hold for Djokovic to open proceedings.
John Millman is first up the tunnel. He’s snagged by ESPN’s Tom Ronaldi for a quick interview and asked how the last 48 hours have been since beating Roger Federer.
“It’s been business as usual,” Millman says. “I’ve had overwhelming support back home. Phones have been off and I’ve just tried to recover as best as possible.”
He adds: “Novak’s a great champion, but I’m not playing anyone’s reptuation tonight.”
Next comes Djokovic, who’s asked to assess the challenge before him.
“Obviously Roger was a favorite to get to the quarters but big credit to John, he played a great match,” the Wimbledon champion says. “I really like the stage (at Arthur Ashe Stadium). It’s the biggest tennis court we have in our sport. The night sessions are very special and I look forward to it.”
It’s 80F with 79% humidity, the sort of muggy conditions that have been the norm during the fortnight so far.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s match between Novak Djokovic and John Millman in the last eight of the US Open. Djokovic, a two-time winner at Flushing Meadows with a career record of 10-0 in US Open quarter-finals, is the obvious favorite of the piece. The No 6 seed in form, coming off titles at Wimbledon and Cincinnati, where he became the first player to complete the set of all nine Masters titles since the series began in 1990. But Millman, who was ranked No 235 in the world this time last year, is coming off the biggest win of his career after rallying from a set down to stun Roger Federer on Monday night to reach his first ever major quarter-final. If he can spring the upset tonight, the 29-year-old from Brisbane would become the first men’s Australian semi-finalist at any grand slam since Lleyton Hewitt at the 2005 US Open.
The first night match on Ashe has just finished with Madison Keys seeing off Carla Suárez Navarro in straight sets to reach the last four for a second straight year. Djokovic and Millman should be on court shortly for their warm-ups and we’ll take it from there!
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Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Steve Brenner’s lookahead to tonight’s match.
