Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will face similar challenges in Saturday's semi-finals when they aim to set up a third US Open final meeting. No. 1 Novak Djokovic takes on No. 9 Stanislas Wawrinka, who will be making his debut at this stage of a major tournament, and No. 2 Rafael Nadal takes on No. 8 Richard Gasquet, who was 1-15 in fourth-round Grand Slam matches until this tournament and will be appearing in only his second major semifinal.
Djokovic, the top seed in New York, made a January escape against his inspired Swiss opponent, no longer playing in the shadow of the mighty Roger Federer. Though he scored the fourth-round win on his way to lifting the Australian Open title. Djokovic knows he needs a refresher course against Wawrinka, who stunned holder Andy Murray in a straight-set quarter-final demolition.
"It was definitely one of the most exciting matches I have played in my life on this surface, against Stan, played on a very, very high level," said Djokovic, 26. "He's a very complete player. He can play equally well on any surface. He had one of the best seasons I think in his life," said the Serb, very diplomatically. "He's going to go for the win."
Similarly, Nadal cannot overlook Gasquet. While he hasn't made it to a semifinal in a Grand Slam since 2007, Gasquet has been playing extremely well, and doesn't have the look of just rolling over now. Nadal should have confidence from his 20-0 hardcourt mark this year, and the fact that he's beaten Gasquet in all 10 of their meetings as professionals, but it won't exactly be a gimmie match, either.
"He's a nice guy, very nice person, one of the players on the tour that I feel closer to] because we are from the same age," said Nadal, 27. "We grew up in similar ways and we played when we were kids. Today we have the chance to be in the semi-finals of the US Open, so it's great. It's a great thing for both of us, so I'm very happy."
"I think it's very difficult to play against Rafa," admitted Gasquet, 27. "It's very difficult because he's powerful, especially with the forehand. I'm in the semis in the US Open. I want to do the best I can do. I will try to go in this match to win. If not, don't go on the court, but I know he's the favorite for the match. Nobody will say I'm the favorite," he humbly said in the eve of the expected match.
Today will also feature the women's doubles final. Serena Williams and Venus Williams were eliminated on Friday, falling to No. 5 Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, 6-4, 6-2. Those two will take on No. 8 seed Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua at Arthur Ashe Stadium following the men's semifinals.
Coverage of the matchups begin at noon ET on CBS, and will run through 6 p.m. The Djokovic vs. Wawrinka matchup will be first, followed by the Nadal vs. Gasquet match, and finishing with the women's doubles final. Click here to watch via streaming, available through U.S. Open Live.
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