Novak Djokovic edges closer to historic calendar Grand Slam after winning epic US Open semi-final

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Novak Djokovic US Open

Novak Djokovic is only one win away from being the third man to clinch the calendar Grand Slam after a stunning five-set semi-final victory over Alexander Zverev at the U.S Open.

Djokovic outlasted Zverev 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to book a spot in the final against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, and if he wins again, he will join Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) as the only men to win all four Grand Slams in a single calendar year.

Victory against the Russian no.2 seed will also see Djokovic win his 21st Grand Slam title, moving one ahead of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the tally.

The 34-year-old's win against Zverev at Arthur Ashe Stadium was witness by Australian legend Laver, who was present in the crowd.

Speaking after the victory, Djokovic said he was aware of how close he was to the calendar Grand Slam, but he was simply focusing on getting the win against Medvedev.

"I’m going for a fourth US Open, that’s all I’m thinking about," he said.

When asked by John McEnroe about the calendar slam, he said: "It’s there, it’s there. I know people like to hear me talk about, but there’s not much to talk about.

"There’s only one more match exactly. All in, all in. Let’s do it. I’m going to put my heart and my soul and my body and my head into that one. I’m going to treat the next match like it is the last match of my career."

Djokovic now has a record of 27-0 in majors in 2021.

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Kieran Francis is a senior editor at Sporting News Australia.