Djokovic downs Monfils, moves into US Open final

Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and world No. 1, won 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to reach his 21st Grand Slam final. On Sunday, he will be aiming to win his third major of 2016 and the 13th of his career.

During the match, which featured some unconventional tactics from Gael Monfils, spectators at the Arthur Ashe Stadium jeered as tennis commentator John McEnroe blasted the 10th-seeded Frenchman for lack of effort on ESPN's telecast.

After his loss, Monfils hit back at the accusations. "Yes, I'm competing," Monfils raged, cursing for emphasis.

"I tried to get inside Novak's head," he added. "It was a very quick 5-0. I had to change a little bit. I think it worked. There's not only one way to play tennis. When the guy is hitting clean and you're not serving good, you just show him. You stand in the middle of the court.

"He starts to double fault a little bit. Then you give him a very slow ball. And then he comes to the net. I pass him. Was great strategy.

"When I tried to play 'original' tennis, he kills me."

"Well, it was a strange match, as it always is, I guess, when you play Gael, who is very unpredictable player." said Djokovic, in the understatement of the tournament, admitting that Monfils's bizarre approach had unsettled him.

In Friday's late semifinal, No. 3 seed Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland beat No. 6 seed Kei Nishikori also by 3 sets to 1. He goes on to face Djokovic on Sunday.

Kerber vs. Pliskova

Ahead of Sunday's men's final, German tennis star Angelique Kerber, the current world No. 1 in the women's division, will face off against Czech Karolina Pliskova in Saturday's women's singles final.

jbh/cmk (AFP, AP)