Novak Djokovic continues his strong run at the US Open, advancing to the semi-finals with a hard-fought victory over Taylor Fritz. The match took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Djokovic won in four sets — 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 — in a thrilling quarterfinal showdown.
This win marks Djokovic’s fourth semi-final appearance at a major tournament this year. The Serbian star tied Jimmy Connors’ record by winning his 14th US Open quarterfinal match, moving closer to his dream of claiming a record 25th Grand Slam title. He is now aiming for his 11th US Open final appearance.
In the semi-finals, Djokovic will face off against his rival Carlos Alcaraz, a match fans have been eagerly waiting for. Djokovic currently leads their head-to-head rivalry 5-3, including their last two matches. This will be their first meeting at Flushing Meadows.
The match started strongly for Djokovic, who broke Fritz early and took the first set after a tense 10-minute final game where he saved six break points. Despite some challenges, Djokovic closed the set on his second set point.
The second set had its twists. Fritz missed four early break points, but he eventually broke Djokovic at 5-5 after a rally where Djokovic’s drop shot didn’t go as planned. However, Fritz’s double fault at a crucial moment allowed Djokovic to bounce back and serve out the set, giving him a two-set lead.
In the third set, Fritz forced his way back, breaking Djokovic early and winning thanks to his powerful serve — hitting three aces and closing at 5-2. The American took the third set comfortably.
The fourth set was tense and closely contested, with neither player giving up a break point for nine games. Djokovic, feeling the fatigue but determined, pushed for victory. He had two match points at 5-3, but missed his chances, keeping Fritz alive. However, Fritz’s fifth double fault on match point ended the game, handing Djokovic the victory.
After the match, Djokovic greeted Fritz with a handshake and then celebrated by performing a fun ‘Soda Pop’ dance — a viral K-pop trend. He explained in his interview that the dance was a special tribute to his daughter Tara, who was celebrating her eighth birthday.
Stay tuned for Djokovic’s semi-final clash with Alcaraz as the race for the US Open title heats up.
