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Novak Djokovic faces Gael Monfils in perilous U.S. Open semifinal

Novak Djokovic has one job on Friday: Avoid being the Serena Williams of men's tennis.

Djokovic, No. 1 seed at the U.S. Open, takes the court about 3 p.m. ET to face Gael Monfils in the tournament's semifinals. Williams, top seed in the women's competition, lost her semifinal match on Thursday.

Monfils is no easy mark, being the tournament's No. 10 seed. However, Djokovic has won all 12 of their previous matches. The most recent: a 6-3, 6-2 win at July's Rogers Cup competition.

Friday's second semifinal pits No. 3 Stan Wawrinka against No. 6 Kei Nishikori, beginning about 4:30 p.