Novak Djokovic Outshines Taylor Fritz To Reach US Open Semi-final

 

Novak Djokovic made a triumphant entry into the US Open semi-final, becoming the oldest player ever to reach the semi-final of all four ATP Grand Slams in a single season. 

The four-time champion overcame American player Taylor Fritz in an epic four-setter by 6-3. 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarter-final. Even as Taylor was resilient and had more break point advantages than his opponent had, he double-faulted in the final set, conceding the match point to the Serbian.

Since his tour victory at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, Taylor has reached at least the quarter-final of every major tour he has participated in, besides the Cincinnati Open, where he was eliminated in R16 by Terance Atmane. 

Djokovic broke a service in the second game, but Taylor recouped to narrow the lead 5-2 and saved a break before conceding the first set. Taylor got a good head start in the second set, taking a 2-1 lead before Djokovic saved a break and won a break thereafter to lead by 5-3. Taylor rallied, winning a break at 5-4 to take the set to the distance before netting a backhand drop shot to lose the set. 

In the third set, the American broke for the second time at 2-1, going on to win. However, he was outperformed in the fourth set, where he doubled-faulted on his serve to concede a match point to the seventh seed. 

Djokovic, 38, has dropped at least a set in three out of five matches in this championship. He stands to extend his Grand Slam streak (24) and his first Grand Slam title since his last at the US Open in 2023. Djokovic will face two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final.