Djokovic Battles Past Fritz to Set Up US Open Semi-Final Showdown with Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic has reached the semi-finals of the US Open after a tough four-set win over American Taylor Fritz, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
The 36-year-old Serbian star had to work hard in front of a loud home crowd, but eventually came through 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Fritz, the fourth seed, pushed Djokovic all the way, but couldn’t take his chances, especially early on.
“It was a really close match. I think he played better than me in parts of the second and third sets,” Djokovic admitted. “At times I was lucky.”
The match lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes, with Djokovic using all his experience to hold firm under pressure. He’s now just one win away from another Grand Slam final and his record-breaking 25th major title.
He will face 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, the current world number 2 and one of the rising stars of tennis. Alcaraz earlier cruised past Czech player Jiri Lehecka in straight sets: 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
How the Match Unfolded
Djokovic got off to a fast start, breaking Fritz in the very first game and taking a 3-0 lead. Although he missed a set point at 5-2, he held his nerve to take the first set.
The second set was tight. Fritz had many chances to break serve – 11 in total – but only managed to convert once. Djokovic took advantage of Fritz’s mistakes, including three double faults in one game, to win the set 7-5.
The crowd in New York turned up the noise in the third set, cheering loudly for the American and frustrating Djokovic. The Serb lost focus, and Fritz took the set 6-3.
But Djokovic regrouped in the fourth set, and at 5-4, he broke Fritz one final time to seal the win – helped by a double fault from the American on match point.
“That last game was very tense. I feel for Taylor – he didn’t deserve to finish with a double fault,” said Djokovic. “In many games I was just trying to survive.”
Next Up: Alcaraz
Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open champion, will be Djokovic’s next opponent in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final. The two have met in several big matches recently, including Wimbledon finals and the Olympic Games.
The young Spaniard, who hasn’t lost a set in the tournament so far, said after his win:
“I want to play well, play smart, but also give the fans something exciting. I’m here to entertain.”
It will be the third time Alcaraz has reached the semi-finals in New York — and he’s now the youngest man since Rafael Nadal in 2008 to get this far in a Grand Slam without dropping a set.
