Novak Djokovic digs deep to set up Western and Southern Open final meeting with Milos Raonic
World No 1 Novak Djokovic fought back from a set down to set up a showdown with unseeded Canadian Milos Raonic in the final of the Western & Southern Open in New York.
The Serbian struggled early with an apparent neck complaint against eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut before finishing 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (0) over the Spaniard in three hours and one minute, the longest match of the tournament.
Djokovic described the match to reporters afterwards as "very strange", adding: "I don't know how I won it, to be honest. He was the better player."
The 33-year-old called on his mental toughness and strong serve in the win, serving just three times in the final-set tie-break but with each an ace.
The Serbian, who is also aiming to win his fourth US Open, is one victory away from tying Rafael Nadal for the most Masters 1000 titles with 35.
But to do it he will have to beat former No 3 Raonic after the Canadian upset fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (5), 6-3.
Raonic, who conquered Andy Murray on the way to the semi-final, won 90 per cent of first-serve points across one hour and 37 minutes on court.
The 29-year-old, who is ranked 30th, will attempt to become the first unseeded player to lift the trophy in the Open era when he meets Djokovic in the final.
