Gaël Monfils hoping to stretch untested Novak Djokovic

If Gaël Monfils were to retire during his semi-final against Novak Djokovic – and his circus-like acrobatics always carry the threat of disaster – the impression would be strongly embedded that the Serb's name is already on this trophy.

Djokovic has never had such a blessed run in a tournament: a minor hiccup in his first match of the fortnight before a withering finish blew away Jerzy Janowicz remains the only proper workout of his five matches.

There was the second-round walkover against Jiri Vesely (who had beaten him in Monte Carlo), the collapse-and-quit performance of Mikhail Youzhny, a quick three-setter against Kyle Edmund and, on Tuesday evening, another retirement, by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the start of the third set with Djokovic having won the first two.

Gruelling season

The

US Open

is invariably the most attritional of the majors, coming towards the end of a gruelling season, but this is some casualty list. And there was something unintentionally comical about Djokovic’s immediate reaction: “I can only wish all of my opponents a speedy recovery.” Christmas cards to follow.

He also said: “I never experienced something like this, to have three retirements on the road to the semi-finals.” Nor has the tournament.

It should be pointed out the world number one would have won all three matches that didn’t start or didn’t finish in the regular way. But their curtailment has provided Djokovic with the almost perfect preparation for the final push: minimum exertion over nine sets of tennis in four matches while getting a feel for the court and conditions, especially in his night appearances.

The final is scheduled to begin at 4pm local time on Sunday, so the heat of the day will probably be less intense and the ball will move to his liking on Arthur Ashe Court, especially if the new roof is drawn across against the elements.

All of these factors have to be computed alongside the injury problems Djokovic has had to cope with since his shock early exit from Wimbledon. He said at the start of this tournament his problems there were not physical but to do with matters away from the court, and the speculation was left hanging.

There seems to be a lingering issue with either his left wrist or right elbow. The wrist injury arrived during the Olympics in Rio, he said, and Juan Martin del Potro took full advantage to put Djokovic out in the first round. The loser wept on court, clearly devastated after committing to the Olympics where others had been less enthusiastic.

Overall, Djokovic’s tennis is in good shape. He is doing what he does at nearly all slams: growing into his proper stature after a brief period of vulnerability.

In normal circumstances, then, Djokovic would be strong favourite to beat the brilliant if erratic Monfils, except the Frenchman is not playing to stereotype here. He is as crazily athletic as ever, but there is a solidity in his game that is often missing. His game-face is serious and determined, where once there was a playful, carefree mien.

Good season

Monfils has had a good season, perhaps his best in terms of performance. As Djokovic said after Monfils destroyed his compatriot Lucas Pouille in three sets in the quarter-final: “He seems more focused at this time of his career.”

But can he beat Djokovic? Logic says the gap of 12 places between them in the rankings is not there by accident. Nor is it wise to ignore the other 12 factor: the number of defeats Djokovic has inflicted on Monfils in their 12 encounters.

Yet, as much as sport is all about the numbers, romance and unpredictability – qualities with which Monfils has always been associated – can come into play at any time. – Guardian service