It probably looks like the only obstacles standing in Novak Djokovic’s path to the first calendar Grand Slam in more than half a century are Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev.
The Big Three certainly are impressive, Zverev and Medvedev chomping at the bits in anticipation of their own initial Grand Slam titles. If those two miss out this time on celebrations of their own at the U.S. Open, they are bound to collect their own big trophies soon.
SERBIAN WONDER’S AMAZING FEATS
Djokovic overcame and outlasted the huge serves and forehands of Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals until the Italian ran out of gas. Novak was still going strong in winning the last three sets rather convincingly after being overpowered in the first set.
The Serbian Wonder repeatedly came up with amazing shots those last three sets, enough so that some observers are ready to hand Djokovic a record 21st Grand Slam title and a calendar Grand Slam.
But Berrettini has his weaknesses, mainly backhands down the line that he consistently nets as well as the conditioning that would enable him to connect on service bombs and mighty forehands for four or five sets. That’s why Djokovic appeared to be invincible in the quarterfinals.
ZVEREV NOW A DIFFERENT PLAYER
Is Djokovic invincible?
Maybe not, if Zverev continues to boom serves and groundstrokes off both wings the way he has so far in this U.S. Open. The tall German is a different player now than a year ago, mostly because of the confidence he gained by defeating Djokovic and then winning the Olympic Gold.
Now that Zverev walks around knowing that he can beat Djokovic as he did in the Tokyo Olympics to end Novak’s dream of a Golden Grand Slam, their semifinal meeting on Friday might not be a done deal for Novak.
Zverev can hit, serve and run with Djokovic for at least three sets. We know that from their Tokyo meeting, although Arthur Ashe Stadium probably won’t match Tokyo’s heat.
Remember, Zverev handled Djokovic and the heat while winning Tokyo Gold.
WILL NOVAK BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE PRESSURE?
The pressure could kick in on Novak against Zverev, or in the final if Novak happens to be there. He could feel the way Nadal did in the Australian Open and French Open when pressure was as much the equalizer as the opposition.
Realizing the strength of the opposition and the closeness he is to a Calendar Grand Slam and in the process overtaking the 20 Grand Slam titles by Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal with a 21st Grand Slam championship, Djokovic isn’t likely to be immune to the presence of pressure.
R&R FANS WON’T FORGET THEIR HEROES
All tennis observers and fans aren’t as pro-Novak as the ESPN analysts appear to be on air.
Of course, there are fans everywhere who wouldn’t be upset seeing Zverev prevail again to end another of Djokovic’s dreams as well as at least temporarily stalling his bid to pass Federer and Nadal.
Some fans still prefer the touch of class that Federer and Nadal have demonstrated for much of the last two decades.
R&R fans have never seen their heroes walking around repeatedly trying to encourage or lift up the fans or with their ears cupped to hear more cheers after pulling off another remarkable feat on the court. Tennis isn’t wrestling yet, but it’s getting closer with some of the demonstrations by young stars, not to mention Djokovic.
MEDVEDEV COULD BE WAITING
If Djokovic happens to persevere against Zverev, the chase won’t be complete.
Medvedev likely will be waiting for Novak.
Medvedev is too good to not win a Grand Slam title in the next year or two. It could be this year, whether it’s against Djokovic or Zverev.
These three players, Djokovic, Zverev and Medvedev, appear to be the world’s Big Three right now.
Yes, better than even Stefanos Tsitsipas. The talented Greek isn’t likely to take his loss to Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16 lightly. Tsitsipas probably is out working on his game right now. He is that serious about it, and his goal of winning a Grand Slam title.
WHAT ABOUT THE SURPRISINGLY GOOD FELIX?
Wait a minute! What about the talented young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime?
Auger-Aliassime is one of the most aggressive players in the game, and he appears to be a far more complete player than he was a year ago. Not only is he an excellent server with power, he seems to be everywhere on the court, always ready to hit a winner off either side.
Just think what a pair of wins in the last two rounds of the U.S. Open would do for Auger-Aliassime. All of a sudden, he would be the best player in the game.
Smooth and smart at 21 years old, Auger-Aliassime has developed into a player to watch along with the other three or four other top candidates to replace Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award as the tennis columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier newspapers. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com
