World number one Novak Djokovic and five-time champion Roger Federer set up a US Open semi-final blockbuster on Thursday as the rain-ravaged event opted for a fourth successive Monday men’s final.

Top seed Djokovic, the runner-up in 2007 and 2010, booked his place in a fifth successive semi-final when Serbian Davis Cup-winning team-mate Janko Tipsarevic retired with a left thigh injury.

Djokovic, who was 7-6 (7/2),6-7 (3/7), 6-0, 3-0 ahead at the time, will face Federer for the fourth year running after the Swiss star demolished Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

The winner of that tie will play in a Monday final after besieged organisers surrendered their desperate attempts to shoehorn the remainder of the tournament, which had seen Tuesday and Wednesday washed out, into four days.

The women’s final will take place tomorrow instead of today with both men’s and women’s semi-finals today.

Djokovic claimed his 62nd win of 2011 when Grand Slam quarter-final debutant Tipsarevic’s brave bid was undone by a thigh injury in the third set.

“I sensed early in the third set when I got a break that he lost some pace on his serve and he wasn’t moving as well,” said Djokovic.

Federer gained revenge for his landmark Wimbledon loss to Tsonga where the Frenchman had become the first man to defeat the 16-time Grand Slam title winner from two sets to love down.

It will be the fourth successive US Open semi-final meeting between Federer and Djokovic and first since the Swiss ended the Serb’s 43-match winning run at the French Open in June.

World number one Caroline Wozniacki set up a semi-final showdown with Serena Williams after beating German Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 7-6 (7/5).

“She’s playing great,” Wozniacki said of Williams, who missed a year with various health concerns but has roared back this summer with two tournament titles.

“I think she’s in great shape. She’s been proving that she’s back on fire. I’m excited to be out there and play, and hopefully it will be a good match.”

Men’s quarter-final: Murray bt Isner 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.