Novak Djokovic moved into a 10th consecutive U.S. Open semifinal Tuesday as the beneficiary of yet another premature retirement from his opponent this tournament.
A knee injury forced Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to throw in the towel after just two sets, becoming the third opponent who has failed to finish a match against the world's top player through five rounds at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic held a 6-3, 6-2 lead over Tsonga when the French No. 9 seed required treatment on his left knee and removed himself from the match.
It has been one odd tournament for Djokovic in New York. In the second round, Jiri Vesely pulled out before their match due to fatigue from a five-set match a round earlier. Then, in the third round, Mikhail Youzhny lasted but one set when a leg injury ended the match.
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Remarkably, it has taken Djokovic fewer than 6 1/2 hours on the court to reach the semis, having played only 10 sets of a possible 25.
“I can only wish all of my opponents a speedy recovery,” Djokovic said after Tuesday's match. “This grand slam is very unique for me. I never experienced something like this, to have three retirements on the road to the semifinals.”
Despite his lack of competitive action, the Serbian defending champion still appears in fine form. He will face another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, in the final four.
Djokovic has reached at least the semifinals at every U.S. Open since his runner-up finish in 2007, now just two shy of Jimmy Connors' record.
Monfils, meanwhile, maintained his impressive streak earlier in the day with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over countryman Lucas Pouille.
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Pouille had upset two-time champion Rafael Nadal in the previous round, but he looked to be feeling the effects of being taken the distance in three consecutive matches leading up to the all-French clash in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Monfils wrapped up the straight-set victory, and his second career trip to a grand slam semifinal, with his 13th ace of the match. The No. 10 seed has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this year.
After his match, Djokovic marveled at Monfils, who happens to be 0-12 in his career against the No. 1 player.
"I love watching Gael," Djokovic said. "He's one of the few players that I will definitely pay a ticket to watch. He's very charismatic, plays with a smile, enjoys tennis, enjoys life."
Omnisport's Dejan Kalinic and Jack Davies contributed to this report.
