Novak Djokovic Reaches 8th US Open Final; Will Face del Potro

US Open: Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to enter the men’s singles final.

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, celebrates after defeating Kei Nishikori, of Japan, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in New York. 

(Photo: AP)

• Novak Djokovic enters the US Open final with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Kei Nishikori.
  
• Djokovic next plays Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday night.
• He will be bidding for a third title at Flushing Meadows and 14th Grand Slam trophy overall.

Novak Djokovic served impeccably and used his usual brand of court-covering defense to reach his record-tying eighth U.S. Open final by beating Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

"I don't know how it looked, but it felt really good," said Djokovic, who reached his record-tying eighth final in New York as he aims for a third U.S. Open championship and 14th major title. "Great intensity, great focus, good game plan. Obviously easier said than done. You have to execute the shots."

Djokovic missed the tournament last year because of an injured right elbow that eventually required surgery. He will face 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday's final.

Del Potro advanced when defending champion Rafael Nadal retired from their semifinal Friday because of a painful right knee after dropping the opening two sets. Nadal is the first man to retire from a semifinal or final at the U.S. Open since the professional era began in 1968.