Novak Djokovic displayed mature and combative tennis in the US Open quarterfinals, defeating fourth seed Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
With this victory, the four-time New York champion advanced to his 14th US Open semi-final, extending his perfect head-to-head record against Fritz to 11-0.
The win will also move Novak up from seventh to fourth in the ATP rankings on Monday.
Novak showed mental toughness at critical moments, saving break points and turning around tough games against the dangerous American opponent.
In the early stages of the first set, Djokovic seized the initiative. He converted his third break point in the second game to take Fritz’s serve. In the next game, Novak held a 40-0 lead on his serve, allowed Fritz one chance for a rebreak but saved it, confirming the break for a 3-0 lead. At 5-3, Novak missed a set point on Fritz’s serve, and the marathon ninth game followed, in which he saved five break points and eventually closed out the set 6-3.
The second set brought more tension. Fritz came close to breaking several times, but Novak saved three break points and held his serve. Patiently waiting for the right moment, he capitalized in the seventh game, converting his first break point of the set to go up 4-3, and then confirmed it for 5-3. However, serving for the set, Novak faltered and Fritz earned his first break of the match to level at 5-5. Djokovic immediately struck back, broke Fritz again, and closed the set 7-5, taking a 2-0 lead in sets.
The third set was dominated by the home crowd, supporting Fritz and celebrating Novak’s errors. Riding this momentum, the American converted a break point in the fourth game to lead 3-1. He maintained a high level of play through aggressive strokes and solid serving, taking the set 6-3.
The fourth set was dramatic and ultimately decided in the final game. Novak converted his third match point to secure the victory after three hours and 24 minutes on the biggest tennis stadium in the world, booking his spot in the US Open semifinals.
Match statistics: aces (10-12), double faults (8-4), winners (33-46), unforced errors (40-41), total points won (128-126).
In the US Open semi-finals on Friday, Novak will face second seed Carlos Alcaraz for the ninth time in their careers.
Alcaraz reached the last four by defeating Czech player Jiri Lehecka 3-0 in the quarters. Djokovic currently leads the head-to-head with Alcaraz 5-3, having last met in this year’s Australian Open quarter-finals, where Novak triumphed 3-1.
Photo: Profimedia
