Djokovic Battles Crowd and Fritz to Reach U.S. Open Semifinals
Novak Djokovic once again proved why he is one of the greatest players in tennis history, but it didn’t come without drama. Under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 38-year-old Serbian not only had to deal with a determined opponent in Taylor Fritz but also with a vocal New York crowd that was firmly rooting for the last American man left in the draw. What unfolded was a match filled with tension, resilience, and a touch of defiance from Djokovic, who walked away with a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory.
From the very start, Djokovic established control, breaking Fritz’s serve early and racing to a two-set lead. He has always had the upper hand against Fritz, and this night extended his dominance to an 11-0 record over the American. But the match wasn’t just about numbers—it was about the atmosphere. Some spectators went beyond cheering for Fritz; they clapped when Djokovic faulted on serves, something rarely seen in tennis. At one point, Djokovic openly mocked the chair umpire’s attempts to quiet the crowd, repeating his words—“Thank you. Please. Thank you. Please”—with a sarcastic tone. It was a moment that captured the tension between the champion and the audience.
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Despite that, Djokovic stayed composed when it mattered. Even after Fritz managed to grab the third set, Djokovic’s return game and shot placement gave him the edge in the fourth. He saved 11 of 13 break points, controlled the longest rallies, and even surprised Fritz with successful serve-and-volley plays. By the time Fritz double-faulted on match point, the outcome felt inevitable: Djokovic was into his record-extending 53rd Grand Slam semifinal, his 14th at the U.S. Open.
For Fritz, the loss was another reminder of how difficult it is to topple the game’s elite. His exit also meant the drought for American men’s singles champions at major tournaments continues, stretching all the way back to Andy Roddick’s 2003 U.S. Open triumph. Fritz acknowledged afterward that Djokovic simply rose to the occasion in the biggest moments, calling it one of the traits that make him great.
Now, attention turns to the semifinal showdown everyone anticipated: Djokovic versus Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spanish star, a five-time major winner, has breezed through the tournament without dropping a set. Djokovic leads their head-to-head record 5-3, including victories in their last two meetings—the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year and the Paris Olympics final, where Djokovic finally captured his long-desired gold medal.
So as Djokovic heads into yet another semifinal, the storyline remains familiar: the veteran champion against the rising star. But if Tuesday night showed anything, it’s that Djokovic thrives not only on the challenge of his opponents, but also on the energy—positive or hostile—that surrounds him. And in New York, he once again found a way to turn the noise into fuel.
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