Stan the Man looking forward to Djokovic

NOVAK Djokovic’s strange US Open path took another odd turn early yesterday morning, SA time, as the defending champion defied stultifying humidity and the controversial tactics of Gael Monfils to book a US Open title showdown with Stan Wawrinka.

World No 1 and defending champion Djokovic prevailed 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 in a bizarre semifinal that saw 10th-seeded Monfils roundly booed and accused of not trying.

Third-seeded Wawrinka withstood an early onslaught from sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan, asserting himself in the later stages to claim a 4-6 7-5 6-4 6-2 victory.

Though Djokovic holds a 19-4 record over Wawrinka, including two victories since the Swiss player shocked him in the French Open final last year, Wawrinka welcomed a chance to take him on again.

“To play Novak again will be very special,” he said.

But Djokovic’s semifinal was clouded by controversy when Monfils appeared to stop competing in the first set, standing inside the baseline, airily slicing first serves.

After he went 5-0 down in the first set, he slammed on the brakes in a desperate effort to turn the tide.

It worked briefly as he retrieved three games, but after dropping the second set, where he was broken twice more and was booed, he reverted to a traditional approach.

He restored his reputation in the last two sets but he still faced claims he was “tanking” and hit back at American legend John McEnroe, who said he had been “unprofessional”.

“I tried to get inside Novak’s head,” said Monfils. “It was a very quick 5-0. I had to change a little bit. I think it worked.” —