Novak Djokovic, the two-time champion, will face 2009 winner Juan Martin del Potro for the US Open title on Sunday.
Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion in New York, reached his eighth final at the tournament and 23rd of his Grand Slam career with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
Del Potro advanced when world number one and defending champion Rafael Nadal quit their semi-final with a knee injury after dropping the first two sets, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Djokovic boasts a 14-4 lead over Del Potro in a 10-year rivalry, including two wins without dropping a set at the US Open in 2007 and 2012.
“We have never met in a Grand Slam final. I have tremendous respect for him as a person and a player. He’s a great guy,” said Djokovic who missed the 2017 tournament through injury.
“He’s had lots of injury problems in the past but he’s a big-match player.”
Wimbledon champion Djokovic, playing in his 11th US Open semi-final, claimed a 15th win in 17 clashes against Nishikori.
It was plain sailing for the 31-year-old Serb who is chasing a 14th Slam title to take him level with Pete Sampras on the all-time list.
He broke serve four times while an under-par Nishikori saved 13 of the 17 break points he faced and committed 51 unforced errors.
With inputs from AFP
