Djokovic Edges Fritz to Reach Record 53rd Grand Slam Semifinal at US Open
Serbian Star to Face Alcaraz in Epic Semifinal Rematch
Novak Djokovic advanced to a record-extending 53rd Grand Slam semifinal with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz on Tuesday night at the US Open, marking his 11-0 record against the American. The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a fifth US Open title, sealed the win with a double fault from No. 4 seed Fritz on his third match point, ending the last American man’s hopes and extending the U.S. drought for a male singles major champion since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph. Exhausted after long rallies, Djokovic quipped, “I was just trying to survive… You just have to grind.”
The match, moved up due to Aryna Sabalenka’s quarterfinal walkover, saw Djokovic take a two-set lead, blowing kisses to a partisan crowd supporting Fritz. Tensions flared in the third set as fans cheered Djokovic’s faults, prompting a sarcastic exchange with chair umpire Damian Dumusois. Fritz fought back, breaking for a 3-1 lead to claim the set, but Djokovic regained control in the fourth, winning 25 of 42 nine-plus-stroke points and saving 11 of 13 break chances. Fritz acknowledged, “That’s one of the things that makes the great players great… They win the big points.”
Djokovic will face No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz in Friday’s semifinal, leading their head-to-head 5-3, including recent wins at the Australian Open and Paris Olympics. Alcaraz, unbeaten in sets, defeated No. 20 Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 earlier. Both players wore all-black outfits, though Djokovic’s mastery—highlighted by 10 of 11 serve-and-volley points won—set him apart. Wednesday’s quarterfinals feature Alex de Minaur vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime and defending champion Jannik Sinner vs. Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian night clash.
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