Novak Djokovic plans to be having a soothing session with his physio while sipping a cooling lemon water as he watches Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton battle it out for the slot against him in the US OPEN men’s singles championship semifinal on Friday. 

“Both guys have a lot of charisma and a lot of power., ” Djoko said of the two, who are making history as the first African American men ever to face each other in a US OPEN semi.

“Frances is one of the most explosive players out there and Shelton is just throwing bombs. He’s going to be tough to beat, especially because he’s a lefty.”

Shelton set the record for service speed for the US OPEN, clocking at least two serves  at 149 mph plus, an all-time high. 

Djokovic defeated no.9 American Taylor Fritz 6-0,6-4,6-4 earlier in the day. The pair had met seven times previously, all lost by Fritz .The eighth meeting was not a charm.

“I’ll have a couple of days to recuperate and get my body together.,” Djoko shared. ” Either way, I know I will face an American who is going to present a serious challenge.”