Novak Djokovic once again proved he’s a nightmare for Taylor Fritz, saving 10 straight break points in a tense US Open quarterfinal under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite Fritz, the last American standing, mounting a spirited challenge, Djokovic held firm and sealed the win 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to keep his spotless 11-0 record against Fritz alive.
Djokovic, known for his cool under pressure, finally faced a break point in the second set but immediately broke back, thrilling part of the crowd by blowing kisses as he claimed the set. Early in the third, the 38-year-old Serbian flashed a slick twiner shot, showing off skills that belie his age even though Fritz seemed visibly frustrated at times.
Fritz, seeded No. 4, got into a third-set rhythm, managing to extend his stay by taking that set 6-3. But Djokovic regained control, breaking Fritz late in the fourth to move on.
Now, Djokovic’s reward is a blockbuster US Open semifinal showdown with World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz on Friday. The 22-year-old Spaniard has dominated through five rounds without dropping a set, determined to erase memories of his Wimbledon final loss to Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Djokovic holds a 5-3 edge against Alcaraz, including a memorable 2024 Olympic gold medal match victory.
Fritz struggled with nerves and costly unforced errors at crucial moments. Early opportunities slipped away, including a missed break chance in the first game and shaky serving under pressure. Nonetheless, he fought back, saving set points and winning some electric rallies to keep the match tense.
In the second set, Fritz briefly broke through, energising the crowd and sparking hope but double faults at key moments handed the advantage right back to Djokovic.
The American’s serve was a weapon, especially in the third set when he came alive, firing aces and pushing Djokovic hard, but it wasn’t quite enough in the end. In the fourth set, Djokovic’s composure shone through, as he broke Fritz late to close out the match.
Djokovic is chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. This year has been a rollercoaster for the Serbian star, who battled injuries including a hamstring tear at the Australian Open and knee surgery after the French Open. At Wimbledon, an injury in the quarterfinals slowed him down, costing him a shot at the title.
Despite the setbacks, Djokovic’s resilience remains unmatched. At this US Open, he even battled a painful toe blister early on. He’s now the oldest man since Jimmy Connors in 1991 to reach the quarterfinals here, and he’s not done yet.
The path ahead is tough, but Djokovic’s experience and fighting spirit make him a threat to keep rewriting tennis history. One thing’s clear: Fritz still can’t crack Djokovic’s code on the big stage. The stage is set for a thrilling semifinal against Alcaraz one tennis fans won’t want to miss.
