NOVAK Djokovic, the two-time champion, will face 2009 winner Juan Martin del Potro for the US Open title on Sunday (Monday AEST).

Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion in New York, reached his eighth final at the tournament and 23rd of his Grand Slam career with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Del Potro advanced when world No.1 and defending champion Rafael Nadal quit their semi-final with a knee injury after dropping the first two sets, 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.

Djokovic boasts a 14-4 lead over Del Potro in a 10-year rivalry, including two wins without dropping a set at the US Open in 2007 and 2012.

“We have never met in a Grand Slam final. I have tremendous respect for him as a person and a player. He’s a great guy,” said Djokovic who missed the 2017 tournament through injury.

“He’s had lots of injury problems in the past but he’s a big-match player.”

Wimbledon winner Djokovic kept Nishikori under relentless pressure, carving out 17 break point opportunities and winning 80 per cent of his own first serve points to win in two hours and 23 minutes.

The 31-year-old Serb improved his head-to-head record against Japan’s Nishikori to 15 wins from 17 meetings.

Djokovic is bidding for his third title at Flushing Meadows and 14th Grand Slam trophy overall.

The No. 6-seeded Djokovic missed last year’s tournament with an injured right elbow.