KEI Nishikori was a big letdown on Saturday, bowing to Novak Djokovic in straight sets in a semifinal match that was much-ballyhooed to be action-packed, disappointing an evening US Open crowd at Flushing Meadows in New York.
There was none of that, Djokovic ensuring his almost hitch-free advance to the finals with his overpowering game against an inexplicably lethargic Nishikori.
The score clearly reflected the match’s complexion as Djokovic’s exclusive property: 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
It was as if Nishikori’s win over Djokovic in 2014 had never happened.
Oh, well, this much I can tell.
Djokovic, before Saturday, held a 14-2 head-to-head margin over Nishikori.
Thus, Djokovic, a 13-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia and resurfacing from almost a two-year break due to injuries, was back in his element.
And Nishikori, never a Slam winner from Japan, was far from being a serious Slam contender.
Djokovic faces Argentina’s Martin del Potro on Monday gunning for his third US Open and 14th Slam overall.
It won’t be easy sailing for Djokovic even as he is now into his 23rd final.
Del Potro, who advanced by default when defending champion Rafael Nadal quit on Friday due to a knee injury, could prove to be a tough customer.
To me, it’s a toss-up.
PAL LADIES. The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Ladies Interclub gets going Sept. 18-22 in Davao City’s Palos Verdes, with Pradera Verde of Lubao, Pampanga, poised to retain the title it won via a Cinderella finish.
It wasn’t just a breakthrough triumph but a victory in record fashion as well since the Lubao lasses, led by recently crowned Asian Games champion Yuka Saso, prevailed over Canlubang by a 43-point cushion—a new mark in winning margin in the 14-year-old, four-to-play, three-to-count event.
Canlubang has promised revenge, boasting of its revitalized squad to reclaim its crown. As usual, the PAL Ladies, widely considered as the national ladies team championship, is backed up by a bundle that includes, among others, Airbus, Bombardier, People Asia, UM Broadcasting Network, Primax Broadcasting Network, TFC, Mastercard, SEDA Hotel, SM Supermalls, Banco de Oro, Asia Brewery and Philippine National Bank.