Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev: US Open semi-final – live!

Will Djokovic be motivated when he aims for the calendar-year Grand Slam and a record 21st major on Sunday?

“Let’s do it. I’m going to treat the next match like it’s the last match of my career.”

Join us on Sunday, won’t you? See you then.

Zverev manages to make Djokovic laugh with whatever he said at the net, then walks down the tunnel with his head in his hands.

Djokovic: “The atmosphere was amazing, the best of the tournament so far. Thank you so much. These are the moments we live for.”

He also praises Zverev — “he’s a big champion, he’s someone I admire on and off the court.”

Djokovic wins another battle at the net, leaving Zverev looking like a guy in a teen movie who just lost his girlfriend to the bad guy. Unlike most teen-movie stars, Zverev has a devastating forehand. 15-15.

And a devastating serve. Ace. 30-15.

And … he’s still facing Novak Djokovic. 30-30.

And … again, he’s still facing Djokovic, who swings the momentum of a long rally with a cross-court shot that has a bit of zip to it. Break point / match point.

Call it the pressure, or call it the perils of facing Novak Djokovic. Zverev manages little in the next point, and the match ends with the ball harmlessly hitting the net.

Final score: 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-2

Fifth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 5-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev breaks

Zverev opens his defense with a sharply angled winner, then gets to 30-0. Djokovic answers with an ace, his 11th. But Zverev responds with another good passing shot to get two break points.

Djokovic wins a baseline battle. 30-40. Statkeepers say it’s an unforced error, but I’d call it semi-forced.

Zverev dumps a shot into the net. That was unforced. Deuce.

Someone in the crowd disrupts play before Djokovic serves. It shouldn’t be enough to rattle Djokovic, but Zverev wins the next rally. Break point.

Djokovic hits one just on the line. Deuce.

Djokovic hits one just wide of the line. Break point.

Djokovic hits an ace down the middle. Deuce.

This match has gone on for three hours and 28 minutes.

Djokovic gets to the net, but Zverev forces a tough reply that spins Djokovic around, and Zverev easily finds the open space. Break point.

Djokovic double faults, and we’ll play on.

Fifth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 5-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)

A 134-mph serve eludes Djokovic for Zverev’s 15th ace of the evening. A pair of unforced errors from Djokovic takes us to 40-15.

We should make “hold point” a thing. “Game point” doesn’t paint the whole picture.

In any case, Zverev converts hold point with a finely placed winner.

Still, Djokovic is now serving for the match.

Fifth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 5-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev manages little in resistance this time. In this set, he has eight unforced errors to Djokovic’s two.

Djokovic is four points away from the final.

Fifth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 4-0 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Djokovic breaks

What a classic clash of styles this has been. Zverev has a cannon for a right arm. Djokovic is playing like a painter. Those traits are evident on back-to-back points — an ace followed by a drop shot.

But this game ends with two horrid errors on points Zverev was controlling. On the first, Zverev races to cover a drop shot, only to put his shot long. On break point, Zverev again forces a desperation shot from Djokovic, this one hanging in the air until Zverev smashes through it — and hits it well long. This might be about over.

Fifth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 3-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic finishes a routine hold with back-to-back aces.

One big winner tonight, no matter what happens over the next 3-9 games, is Daniil Medvedev, who is comfortably watching as his two prospective opponents in the final stay out for more than three hours. Each man has covered more than 6,300 meters.

Fifth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 2-0 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Djokovic breaks

Oh dear. Zverev’s eighth double fault puts him down 15-30. He faults again and finally lobs in a tepid second serve, but he excels in the rest of the rally and ends with a smash.

Another error later, it’s break point. Another fault later, Zverev’s discomfort is palpable.

Then it’s one of several outstanding points in this match and the most meaningful of the lot. A 30-shot rally in which the momentum swings back and forth ends with a Djokovic winner, set up by another drop shot.

Fifth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 1-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic drops the first point but caps a four-point run with a winner.

Stats …

Points won: Zverev 114-111 Djokovic

Net points won: Zverev 15 of 23, Djokovic 30 of 34

Winners: Zverev 40-31 Djokovic

Unforced errors: Zverev 39-42 Djokovic

End fourth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Nerves? What nerves? Zverev opens with an ace, then convincingly wins the next point. A double fault doesn’t rattle him. Winner, forced error, and …

We’re going to five.

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-5 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

This one is made more eventful by a pair of Djokovic errors, but he storms back with another successful net approach. Another error takes it to deuce, but Djokovic seems to be saving his best serves for such occasions. On the next point, Zverev is on the run and attempts to lob Djokovic, only to find himself fending off a smash that’s nearly right at him. Another hold, but Zverev is now serving for the set.

Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 3-5 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Zverev holds at love with all the ease of a weightlifting gold medalist carrying a laptop.

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 3-4 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic holds at love with all the ease of a concert pianist playing Three Blind Mice.

Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 2-4 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Zverev’s sixth double fault of the match makes it 15-15. An emphatic smash makes it 40-30 and terrorizes the spectators.

Djokovic fights back to deuce, which I think is the first we’ve seen on a Zverev service game. The others have generally been all or nothing.

Zverev hits another winner to get the advantage, and a Djokovic error wraps up another hold.

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 2-3 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Two straight games with no winners. Only errors.

Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 1-3 Zverev (*denotes next server)

After giving up the break, Djokovic yelled something to his box, then glared in that direction through the changeover. Not sure what that was about, but it didn’t help. Zverev with the routine hold.

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 1-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev breaks

Djokovic’s passing shots are making Zverev think twice about approaching the net. Zverev gets this game to 30-30 and gets to a Djokovic drop shot but bungles it.

Zverev, though, simply won’t let this be easy. A forehand smash takes it to deuce. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember Djokovic losing a point at deuce, and he doesn’t lose this one, either. An error takes us back to deuce, so maybe this one?

Yes! Djokovic runs Zverev from side to side, but he hangs in there and pounces on a shot that sails up into the air, merrily smashing it to get break point. Djokovic saves that one, then hits one long to give up another opportunity.

Zverev takes control this time. Djokovic has to scramble to his right. Zverev puts his next shot to the other side of the court, and Djokovic simply watches it sail by.

Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 1-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Not Zverev’s most comfortable hold, but he ends it with confidence, forcing Djokovic to scramble after a drop shot and zipping the next shot down the court to take the game.

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 1-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev’s difficulties are momentarily compounded by an eye problem. He tells the chair umpire he believes it’s a bug. It clears up, and he manages to get the game to 30-30. Then he flails at the next two Djokovic serves.

End third set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 6-4 Zverev (*denotes next server)

A couple of epic rallies end in Zverev unforced errors, the second missing the lin6 by perhaps a millimeter. In American terms, that’s about 1 zillionth of an inch.

The next point ends with Zverev missing by about 100 feet, a complete mishit that flies away. Three break points for Djokovic.

Zverev holds his nerve through a 21-shot rally. Any mistake now will put Djokovic up 2-1, and he simply doesn’t lose from there.

The next rally is a classic — 53 shots! As the crowd buzzes, Zverev ends it with a forehand winner past an exhausted Djokovic.

But Zverev can’t hold back the tide. He returns two shots that would be winners against most players, but Djokovic smashes the next. He’s only one set down, but Zverev’s path back is a hill of Everestian proportions, given Djokovic’s fourth- and fifth-set master.

Third set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 5-4 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

This time, the lob works, but it’s the drop shot that did the work, forcing Zverev all the way up to the net and leaving plenty of open court space in which to hit. Djokovic errs in the next point but hits a shot dead-perfect on the line to go up 30-15. A strong serve leaves Djokovic in complete control of the next point, and Zverev is talking to himself. (We think.) Service winner, and Zverev must serve to stay in the set.

Third set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 4-4 Zverev (*denotes next server)

On the first point, Zverev’s second serve is 134 mph. It’s just not in. But Zverev wins the next. Djokovic tries to lob his towering opponent at 15-15, only to watch the ball smashed elsewhere.

An unforced error, though, makes it 30-30. Zverev calmly responds with two service winners. Can we just skip to the tiebreaker?

Third set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 4-3 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev lets another chance go begging, and it shows in the grimace on his face. After pushing Djokovic around the court, Zverev stands at the net with the court at his mercy, and he dinks a volley into the net. The technology that determines whether line calls are correct informs us that the ball Zverev opted to his would’ve gone way long. John McEnroe is bemused by the predictive ability of these animations. Must not watch a lot of cricket.

Zverev tries a drop shot, and Djokovic simply dinks it back over to hold.

Third set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 3-3 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Three aces in four points, and Djokovic barely looks at the last. Zverev has won 71 points to Djokovic’s 68.

Third set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 3-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Live by the drop shot, lose by the drop shot. Djokovic tries one that slips harmlessly into the net, and Zverev goes up 15-30.

Live by the net approach, lose by the net approach. Djokovic gets aggressive again, and Zverev rips a shot past him down the line to go up 15-40.

But oh, that precision serve. An unreturned shot and an ace wipe out the two break points. Zverev hits a shot long on the next point, but Djokovic can’t close it out on the next. Deuce #2.

Solid Djokovic winner. Unforced Djokovic … oh, that was in? Oh. OK then. Hold. I need a new TV.

Third set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 2-2 Zverev (*denotes next server)

An even game — Djokovic hits two unforced errors with his forehand and two with his backhand as Zverev holds at love.

Third set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 2-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

An ace just inside the line takes it to 40-15, but Djokovic overreaches in a short rally on the next point. Then he hits an ace just inside the other line center for the hold. His serve isn’t as powerful as Zverev’s (average serve speed: Zverev 121 mph, Djokovic 108 mph), but his placement is otherworldly, and he varies things just enough to keep Zverev guessing.

Third set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 1-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Djokovic again shows off his finesse at the net to make it 40-30, but his return of the next point finds nothing but net.

Djokovic also might have a small issue with his back. How these guys don’t completely fall apart on the court like a cheap robot is beyond me.

Third set: Djokovic 4-6 6-2 1-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Well now. Zverev’s power keeps Djokovic on the run and wraps up two big points. Djokovic takes the next two, but Zverev forces Djokovic to go wide and gets up toward the net for an easy backhand volley and a break point.

Djokovic answers with another successful net approach, dipping his racket almost to the court surface and letting the ball bounce gently over the net for a delicate winner that propels him through the rest of the game.

End second set: *Djokovic 4-6 6-2 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Just when you think Zverev has rebounded from his early-set difficulties, he opens this game with an error and a double fault. He follows with an ace, then hits a cross-court shot wide to give Djokovic two break points. He erases the first with an ace. But then he sends a simple backhand long, and that’s another break for Djokovic in a set in which the Grand Slam contender was able to coast while his challenger came unglued.

And now Djokovic gets to serve to start the third …

Second set: Djokovic 4-6 5-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic shakes off a couple of unforced errors with an ace, and this set seems to be little more than prelude to the next one.

Second set: *Djokovic 4-6 4-2 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Djokovic shakes his head several times between games, then makes an incomprehensible gesture. No idea what that means.

A double fault at 30-0 provides Djokovic a point, but Zverev takes the next and wraps up the game on a precise forehand.

Second set: Djokovic 4-6 4-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev paints the line for a neat winner to make it 15-all. On the next point, a mishit turns into an accidental but perfectly placed drop shot. Djokovic gets to it, but Zverev has the whole court to hit his next shot, and Djokovic does a near-split in a futile effort to get across the court.

But Djokovic wraps thing up with a solid point and then a drop shot, net approach and easy volley for the hold.

Second set: *Djokovic 4-6 3-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Fun fact: Both breaks in this match have come on double faults.

No such trouble here, as Zverev overcomes one semi-forced error (which isn’t a stat but should be) and holds with little trouble.

Second set: Djokovic 4-6 3-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev looks rattled on the first two points. Djokovic hits a drop shot yet again to bring Zverev to the net, and Zverev can only loft the ball and tee it up for a Djokovic smash.

Next rally — another drop shot, and Zverev catches up but puts it long. Djokovic holds at love, and the momentum has truly swung.