Todd Woodbridge’s men’s US Open semifinal preview

The US Open men’s semifinals are set, with two mouthwatering matches in the offing on Friday. We caught up with Aussie tennis legend Todd Woodbridge to get his thoughts on the matches, and who he thought would be playing in Sunday’s final.

Novak Djokovic [1] v Gael Monfils [10]

H2H: Djokovic leads 12-0
Hard court H2H: Djokovic leads 10-0
Last meeting: Djokovic d. Monfils 6-3 6-2 (Rogers Cup 2016)
Djokovic US Open best: Winner 2011, 2015
Monfils US Open best: Semifinal 2016

I think that the whole tennis world would love to see Gael Monfils in a Grand Slam final; to capture all of his talent on that stage. I just don’t know whether he has enough discipline in a five set match in a Grand Slam semifinal to beat Novak.

If I go back to my words about Novak’s freshness, he’s looking comfortable, he looks relaxed, he’s found really good rhythm and form. I just don’t see a way that Monfils can hang in long enough to beat him.

Novak’s greatest skill from the last few years has been to absorb what the great players have thrown at him in Grand Slams. I think of Federer against him over the last few Slams, where Roger has lasted two hours, come off his level, and Novak is there. I think Monfils might struggle in a similar way.

I’m going to go with Novak to get through.

Stan Wawrinka [3] v Kei Nishikori [6]

H2H: Wawrinka leads 3-2
Hard court H2H: Tied 2-2
Last meeting: Nishikori d. Wawrinka 7-6(6) 6-1 6-2 (Rogers Cup 2016)
Wawrinka US Open best: Semifinal 2013, 2015, 2016
Nishikori US Open best: Runner-up 2014

Wawrinka stepped up against del Potro to get through that quarterfinal. Of the two players in this match, the dynamic player is Wawrinka; he has that ability to set something alight.

Nishikori is solid, solid, solid. I was impressed towards the end of the fifth set against Murray because he knew he had to come in a little bit and shorten points, so he took the initiative. I think for him to beat Wawrinka he’s going to have to take that initiative from the beginning again, and not sit back and use his athleticism, tenacity and patience.

The US Open is won and not necessarily lost at this level. By that, I mean the people who go out with a game plan and execute and are aggressive will win it.

I’m going to go for Wawrinka to go through in that because, as we’ve seen from him, when he gets to the latter stages he becomes incredibly dangerous and has the ability to free hit and make things happen. I like that.