US Open Breakfast – Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka set for trophy tussle

Updated 10/09/2016 at 07:01 GMT

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka endured the New York humidity to book a final showdown at the US Open.

Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic

Image credit: Eurosport

The world No.1 saw out a momentum-shifting encounter with Gael Monfils 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 before Wawrinka outlasted Kei Nishikori 4-6 7-5 6-4 6-2.

Highlights: Djokovic outlasts Monfils in New York humidity

Questions continue to loom over Djokovic ahead of Sunday’s final, but it was near-impossible to form a valid conclusion about his fitness and troublesome left wrist given the sapping conditions and an opponent who continuously switched modes between disinterested and inspirational.

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"He's very entertaining to watch," said Djokovic of Monfils. "He's a very charismatic guy and he had a great tournament.

"It was a strange match, as it always is when you play Gael, who is a very unpredictable player. He loves to come up with a variety in his game."

A handful of double-faults – and many more unforced errors – suggest the 29-year-old is far from his peak, but with Wawrinka also labouring in the opening stages against Nishikori, it probably won’t take either of their best to take home the trophy.

Highlights: Wawrinka outlasts weary Nishikori

Djokovic leads their head-to-head 19-4, but it’s far closer in Grand Slams at 3-2. Chuck in Wawrinka’s perfect Major final record – played two, won two – and it’s tough to label the Serb an outright favourite.

Friday's highlights

Novak Djokovic conquered sweltering conditions to beat Gael Monfils in four sets and advance to another US Open final. More
Stan Wawrinka roared back to defeat Kei Nishikori and book a US Open final date with Novak Djokovic. More
Croatia's Mate Pavic and Germany's Laura Siegemund landed the mixed doubles title with a 6-4 6-4 upset win over the seventh-seeded US partnership of Rajeev Ram and Coco Vandeweghe. More

Leaping Monfils winner sends crowd wild

Did you know...

Mate Pavic may be toasting a first mixed doubles Grand Slam title, but he almost didn’t find a partner for the tournament. The Croatian amusingly signed up with the name “Pavic and looking”, with Laura Siegemund answering his cry for help. It worked a treat.

Match of the day for Saturday

It’s a rematch of the Cincinnati final as Angelique Kerber chases revenge against Karolina Pliskova. Kerber will be promoted to number one in the world when the curtain falls on the US Open, but it will still prove scant consolation if she fails to bring home the trophy.

Pliskova outclassed the German 6-3 6-1 that day in late August, and her victory over Serena Williams will only boost her belief of causing another shock. Incredibly, this is the first time she has gone beyond the third round at a Grand Slam. Play begins at 21:00 UK time.