Djokovic Defeats Fritz to Reach 53rd Grand Slam Semifinal

New York, Sep 3 (AP) Novak Djokovic extended his dominance over Taylor Fritz, defeating the American in a four-set battle to advance to the U.S. Open semifinals. Despite a valiant effort from Fritz and a spirited crowd behind the American, Djokovic emerged victorious with a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 win. This victory marks Djokovic's 11th triumph over Fritz and earns him a record-extending 53rd Grand Slam semifinal appearance, including a record-tying 14th at Flushing Meadows.

“At the end of the day, a win matters. I'm really proud of the fight that I put in. I wear my heart on my sleeve, always, for this sport. So I'm still enjoying it,” Djokovic expressed. “It was really anybody's match. … For most of the second and third sets, he was the better player. That last game was nerve-wracking.” The Serbian star needed three match points to conclude the match, with Fritz's crucial double-fault sealing his fate. Fritz's exit prolongs America's wait for a male singles champion since Andy Roddick's 2003 triumph.

On Friday, Djokovic will compete in his fourth Slam semifinal of the season, taking on the formidable five-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz, who hasn't dropped a set in the tournament, defeated No. 20 Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 earlier Tuesday. Djokovic holds a 5-3 advantage over No. 2 seed Alcaraz, having won their last two encounters, including the Australian Open quarterfinals in January and the final at the Paris Olympics, where Djokovic claimed his long-desired gold medal.

The remaining men's quarterfinals will feature Alex de Minaur against Felix Auger-Aliassime, and defending champion Jannik Sinner facing Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian showdown on Wednesday.

On the court Tuesday night, both competitors donned all-black attire, from shirts to shoes. While their uniforms matched, their play differed significantly. Djokovic, a four-time U.S. Open champion, demonstrated his mastery in returning, controlling lengthy rallies, and pinpoint serving, especially under pressure. At 38, he remained a step and a thought ahead of the 27-year-old Fritz.

Djokovic excelled in rallies, winning 25 of the 42 points lasting at least nine strokes, and saved 11 of 13 break points. He was also nearly flawless when serve-and-volleying, winning 10 of 11 points. Fritz appeared nervous initially, struggling with his serve and groundstrokes, possibly due to the stakes and the change in schedule after Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova's women's quarterfinal was canceled due to Vondrousova's knee injury.

The match began with Djokovic breaking Fritz's serve for a 3-0 lead, quickly establishing a two-set advantage. Fritz fought back, making the contest more competitive, but couldn't turn the tide in his favor.

Throughout the match, Djokovic faced a mixed reception from the crowd, some of whom celebrated his faults — an unusual occurrence in tennis. This tension peaked in the third set, as the fault celebrations grew louder, leading Djokovic to question chair umpire Damian Dumusois, mockingly echoing his attempts to calm the spectators. Fritz capitalized on this moment, breaking Djokovic's serve for a 3-1 lead to claim the third set.

Ultimately, Djokovic's experience and skill prevailed, securing his spot in yet another Grand Slam semifinal. (AP) AM AM AM

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