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- Novak Djokovic has set up a blockbuster against world number two Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinals after a hard-fought victory over fourth seed Taylor Fritz on Wednesday morning
- Alcaraz has recorded victories against Djokovic in two Wimbledon finals but the Serbian stunned him in their last two meetings, including at the Olympic final in 2024
Novak Djokovic has set up a blockbuster against world number two Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinals. Djokovic reached the last four after recording a 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 win over fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Fritz was the last standing American at the US Open and had the backup of home fans playing the big quarterfinal tie against Djokovic. The fourth seed tried to match Djokovic’s tennis and applied constant pressure to his serve but experience saw the 24-time Grand Slam winner advance to the next round.
Djokovic will now face Alcaraz in the semifinal after the Spaniard showed dominance against Czech player Jiri Lehecka in the first quarterfinal of the day. Alcaraz beat Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium as he continues to play his best tennis in New York. The second seed is yet to lose a set at the US Open this year.
Carlos Alcaraz booked his spot in the semifinals of the US Open after a dominant performance against Czech player Jiri Lehecka, winning the match 6-4 6-2 6-4. The world number two is hoping to win the US Open for a second time but will have to defeat Djokovic in the semis before playing in the final. Photo/ France 24.
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Alcaraz has recorded victories against Djokovic in two Wimbledon finals but the Serbian stunned him in their last two meetings, including at the Olympic final in 2024.
How Djokovic Cruised to US Open Semifinals
Novak Djokovic had won all his previous ten matches against Taylor Fritz prior to the US Open quarterfinal tie. With the crowd at Flushing Meadows fully behind Fritz, it was obviously going to be a tough match for Djokovic.
Fritz applied constant pressure to Djokovic’s serve but couldn’t stop the Serbian from taking a 3-0 lead. Djokovic missed a crucial set point at 5-2 but made amends by saving five break points before winning the set 6-5.
Fritz continued to look dangerous in the second set as he looked to turn the game around but he missed several chances which eventually cost him. Once Djokovic went 4-3 up, he maintained the lead and eventually won the set 7-5.
The home favorite eventually grew into the contest in the third set and managed to win it with the crowd doing their best to cheer him. The atmosphere was so hostile for Djokovic such that the tennis great complained to the chair umpire. He was heard asking the umpire “What are you going to do?” and also seemed to disagree with his methods by stating “All you say is thank you, please, thank you please.”
However, the umpire noted that there was little he could do to stop the crowd that was full of energy and asked both Djokovic and Fritz to continue playing through the noise.
Despite the jeers, Djokovic maintained his composure in the fourth set and went on to secure a 6-4 win. He needed three hours and 24 minutes against Fritz to book his spot in the US Open semifinals.
Novak Djokovic has reached the US Open semifinals after beating Taylor Fritz 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 on Wednesday morning at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Photo/ NDTV Sports.
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“Incredibly close match, it was really anybody’s match. I thought I was lucky to save some crucial break points in the second set. I think for most of the second and third set, he was the better player. In these kinds of matches, few points decide the winner. It was fortunately coming on my side.” Djokovic said after the match, according to The Guardian.
