In a commanding display of tennis prowess, Novak Djokovic, aged 36, reached his 47th men’s Grand Slam semi-final with a straight-set victory over Taylor Fritz at the US Open. Djokovic’s remarkable performance of 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium not only secures his place in the semi-finals but also fuels his pursuit of a historic 24th Grand Slam title.
A Perfect Quarter-final Record
Djokovic’s win maintains his perfect record in US Open quarter-finals, marking his 13th consecutive victory at this stage of the tournament. With this achievement, he surpasses Roger Federer in the number of Grand Slam men’s semi-final appearances. The victory also places Djokovic just two wins away from equalling Australian Margaret Court’s record for major singles triumphs.
Despite temporarily appearing to struggle with the intense heat and humidity in New York, Djokovic displayed his exceptional skills to secure victory. The match took place on the warmest day of the 2023 tournament, with temperatures reaching 32C and high humidity, prompting the heat rule to be invoked and the roof partially closed to provide shade.
American Taylor Fritz, aged 25, put up a commendable effort but could not overcome Djokovic’s formidable performance. Fritz displayed resilience and determination throughout the match, even breaking Djokovic’s serve early on. However, Djokovic swiftly regained control, efficiently closing out the first set.
Djokovic’s Second-set Mastery
In the second set, Djokovic continued to assert his dominance, maintaining his composure under pressure. He saved four break points, frustrating Fritz and securing a 3-1 lead. Despite facing physical challenges due to the weather, Djokovic’s determination prevailed as he lost only one point in his next three service games.
The third set provided some drama as Fritz immediately broke back for 4-4. Djokovic, fueled by frustration and motivated to maintain his lead, broke again. Although Fritz pushed Djokovic to the limit and reached break point, Djokovic secured his second match point, winning the set.
In the semi-finals, Djokovic will face home hope Ben Shelton, who will be making his first Grand Slam semi-final appearance. Shelton’s victory over compatriot Frances Tiafoe secured his spot in the last four, making him the youngest man to reach the US Open semi-finals in 31 years.
Shelton’s quarter-final match against Tiafoe was a thrilling encounter that ended 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 in Shelton’s favor. The crowd witnessed an epic tie-break in the third set, and Shelton’s victory has raised hopes among American fans that he could become the first American men’s singles champion in New York in two decades.
