Djokovic Reaches Semi-Finals at U.S. Open

HEAD players exhibited solid tennis performances on the court at the 2009 U.S. Open.

World No. 4 HEAD pro Novak Djokovic claimed his third U.S. Open semi final spot. Djokovic, who plays with a YOUTEK Speed Pro, battled World No. 10 Fernando Verdasco in the quarterfinals, winning in four sets 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2. The win allowed Djokovic to reach his third straight U.S. Open semi-final appearance.

“Roger is a tough competitor and I was able to stay competitive with him through the entire match,” said Djokovic. “He just came up with some great shots. I am happy with my performance at the Open this year and am focusing now on the next tournament.”

In the semifinals, he was finally defeated by World No. 1 Roger Federer, who overtook Djokovic in the semifinals match on Sunday in three tight sets 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5.

Rising HEAD player Marin Cilic of Croatia showed his potential to become a top-10 player, defeating World No. 2 and fellow HEAD player Andy Murray 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to claim his first quarterfinal spot. Cilic fell to eventual winner Juan Martin Del Potro in four sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Former World No. 1 and U.S. Open Champion Marat Safin played his last Grand Slam tournament at Flushing Meadows. He bid adieu in the first round, losing in four sets to Jurgen Melzer of Austria.

“Tennis has provided me a lot of opportunities and I have enjoyed success throughout my career,” said Safin. “While I was hoping to have made it further in the tournament, I am looking forward to the last few tournaments and finishing my career on a high note.”

Known for the ease in which he played, his career peaked at the US Open in 2000 when he topped the men’s field including then 13-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras to win the final in straight sets. Safin finishes his career with 15 ATP singles titles, including the U.S. Open (2000) and Australian Open (2005). Safin will play his last tournament at the BNP Paribas Masters 1000 event in Paris in early November.

In the junior play, budding HEAD pros dominated in both the boys’ and girls’ fields. HEAD young guns Bernard Tomic of Australia and Heather Watson of the United Kingdom both took home the junior U.S. Open titles. This was Watson’s first career Junior Grand Slam title while Tomic already claimed his third Junior Grand Slam title.