Novak Djokovic has had more fluid days on the tennis court. But on a suffocating day when the body became desperate for fluids, he was grateful to take a victory any way he could get it.
To defeat the Frenchman Gaël Monfils in the United States Open semifinals, Djokovic had to endure a player whose moods and methods can change from one game to another. Even Djokovic’s trademark steadiness was challenged under the circumstances before he escaped a budding marathon with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 victory that was more taxing than the score would indicate.