Novak Djokovic survived a spirited challenge from Taylor Fritz and an unruly crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium to win his quarter-final with a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory. The 38-year-old Serbian moves into the US Open semi-finals for a fifth time and sets his sights on a record 25th grand slam title.
1. The Serbâs record
There was a moment in the fourth set when it looked as though Fritz might do something remarkable. He was 0-30 down and facing two match points after a backhand into the tramlines. The crowd roared, but Djokovic was a step and a thought ahead, returning masterfully, controlling the longest rallies, and serving to all the right spots.
And he held, the first time since his comeback that he has done so. The Serb was able to absorb the noise and keep himself composed, the same way he had done in every other quarterfinal of this tournament.
Fritz is a player who always seems to be around the fringes of a big event, but he canât seem to break through and win one. That is especially true of the US Open, where he has a 3-6 record against Djokovic and has never advanced past the quarterfinals.
And that is where his hopes of ending the US menâs long major championship drought ended Tuesday night. In a match that was as close to a public execution as a sporting competition, Djokovic systematically dismantled Fritz and moved closer to tennis immortality.
Djokovic is now a Grand Slam champion in record-tying 10th straight season, and he has won each of the last six. And in the semifinals on Friday, he will face five-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz, who hasnât dropped a set at this tournament.
It will be a match between the most successful players in the history of the sport, and that is always going to draw the crowds, especially when the stakes are so high.
Itâs not that Djokovic was especially unimpressive, but he was simply a step and a thought ahead of Fritz at all times, even in the longer points. It is the kind of performance that will give fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium pause, as it continues to prove that if you want to be the best in the world, then there are few players that can match Djokovic in that category. And that might not change anytime soon. The 38-year-old is moving closer to the kind of immortality that only the most enigmatic players can claim.
2. The crowdâs involvement
Novak Djokovic had to deal with a boisterous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd during his US Open quarter-final match against Taylor Fritz. The Serb pleaded with chair umpire Damien Dumusois for some quiet after he was booed at a crucial point in the first set. But the umpire was low on sympathy for the 38-year-old.
The Serbian star appeared frustrated as he argued with the official, asking him to stop shouting. Dumusois responded: âItâs not going to help you,â but he did not offer any further explanation or sympathy.
In the end, it was Djokovic who moved into the semifinals at Flushing Meadows with a four-set victory. He improved his record against Fritz to 11-0 and closed in on a record-extending 53rd grand slam semifinal, surpassing Roger Federerâs mark.
Despite the crowdâs loud support for Fritz, it was Djokovic who held his nerve, demonstrating his experience to frustrate the home favourite at key moments. The American saved two match points in the fourth set but a costly double fault on the third handed the game to Djokovic, who improved to 5-0 against Fritz at this yearâs US Open.
Djokovic shook off his initial funk and raced into a 3-0 lead that soon became a two-set advantage. Fritz worked his way back into the match but was unable to steal any break points against the world No 2.
It was in the fifth set that the match really took a turn for the worse. A backhand into the net from Djokovic earned him a break point in the second game, and the American could not take advantage of it. He saved the first break chance with a pouncing forehand, but was unable to convert the second â he served at 4-5 down and a tame forehand landed into the net.
Despite his struggles with the crowd, Fritz was never out of the game and will hope to learn from the experience for his next major tournament run. But he faces an uphill battle to reach the final in New York, as Djokovic moves into a mouthwatering semifinal against Carlos Alcaraz on Friday.
3. The Serbâs service
The Serb is looking to extend his unbeaten run and he starts in fine style, acing his first service game for a quick hold. He then takes a risk on his second, but hits an ace as he tries to hit a lob over Fritz and moves 15-30 ahead. The American is unable to take advantage of the opportunity and the Serb holds to level the set at 3-3.
The local crowd is still behind the American as Djokovic returns to serve for the third set. He makes a couple of early mistakes, but gets his act together in the fourth game to hold for a 5-4 lead. He is unable to close out the match in straight sets though as Fritz serves well to take control of the tiebreak.
Fritz hits the first two points of the final set to get his nose into the set, but he is unable to hold on. Djokovic is able to hit a few aces to keep his lead and he then breaks Fritz with a perfect forehand crosscourt winner. The Serbian then goes up 6-3 in the set and will have one foot in the semifinals against Carlos Alcaraz.
After a long break in between the sets, both players take to their chairs with Djokovic a little irritated by the New York crowd who were calling out chants in-between points. He takes a deep breath and goes back to work in the fifth.
He breaks Fritz in the opening game and then holds his own service for a quick hold. He is unable to break him again, however, as the 38-year-old plays a brilliant forehand pass to hold at love for a 4-2 lead.
The pair trade a couple of breaks in the seventh game, but neither are able to convert any of their break point chances. Fritz is able to force Djokovic wide with a volley and then come into the net at the end of an epic rally, but he is unable to take advantage of the opportunity to notch a break.
4. The Serbâs return
The Serb is back to full strength after that frenetic first set. He takes the first break point of the match when Fritz hits a forehand long. The American then holds his own service game to 15-15 but a mistake gives the Serbian the lead again at 30-15. He averts a third break point as he serves, but he misses a forehand in the return and hits a backhand long to hand the lead to the Serb again.
It looks like Djokovic is heading into the semifinals, but there is still work to be done as he struggles with his serve. His fifth double fault leaves him facing a fourth and final match point. The American, however, manages to hold his serve, and the two players leave Arthur Ashe.
As the pair prepare to face each other, their faces show a lot of emotion. Itâs clear that this is a significant game for both of them, not least because it marks the start of a crucial qualifying campaign for the World Cup in Russia.
The match is also a reminder of the wider political tensions between Albania and Serbia, who remain at odds over the status of now-independent Kosovo. That has led to a heavy police presence, road closures and searches of fans entering the stadium. The match is not expected to be played in Belgrade, with Novi Sad a more likely option for security reasons.
The crowd have reacted to the news of the matchâs cancellation, with some shouting âf— youâ. The USTA has announced that tomorrowâs match between Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova will take place at the same time as the menâs quarterfinal. The USTA will provide further details regarding ticket refunds and rescheduled matches at a later date. The next menâs match scheduled for Arthur Ashe is between Alex De Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime. It starts at 7pm ET on Wednesday. Follow the live stream here. The US Open also has a live stream on Facebook.
