US Open 2023: Shelton fails in the semifinals to Djokovic

The fact that American Ben Shelton reached the semifinals of the US Open 2023 was a big surprise. It's not that the combative young 1.93 m man doesn't have what it takes, but up to now, reaching the round of 16 has been the highest of feelings at tournaments. But at this year's US Open 2023, the 20-year-old had a run and eliminated greats like Frances Tiafoe (No. 10) and Tommy Paul (No. 14). He deserves enormous respect for that. The energy and determination he brings to the court is impressive, but with an absolute veteran like Novak Djokovic, it is and was over. In just three sets, the 36-year-old Serb showed what the difference is between a record Grand Slam winner and an ambitious youngster. Djokovic's strokes were too precise, too well thought out and too good, which Shelton ultimately despaired of. In the third set, he reared back once again and put everything he had into the scales, but it was not to be enough. Too many silly mistakes sealed his end and his elimination from the US Open 2023. Djokovic was too confident, uncompromising and determined to reach the final and just as determined to win the US Open 2023 to extend his Grand Slam record of 23 titles to 24. In the final, the latter will face Daniil Medvedev of Russia, who won the 2021 US Open against him in the final. A revenge is on the cards! The story has a happy ending for Ben Shelton, who is likely to move up from 47th to 19th place thanks to his semi-final appearance and is now one of the top 20 players in the world.