By Djokovic Defeats Fritz to Reach 53rd Grand Slam Semi-Final
Novak Djokovic blew kisses to the crowd on Tuesday night as he defeated the last American man in the field, Taylor Fritz, in four sets to reach the 53rd Grand Slam semi-final of his career.
The 38-year-old Serb crushed the hopes of American Taylor Fritz to stay on course for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam at the US Open.
Djokovic reasserted his dominance over fourth-seed Fritz with a 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 victory to set up a blockbuster semi-final showdown against Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium having beaten Fritz in all 10 of their previous meetings but was breathing heavily at times to move past last year’s runner-up.
Novak Djovic vs Taylor Fritz
Djokovic will now play in his fourth Grand Slam semi-final of the season, marking the seventh time in his career that he has achieved that feat, against in-form Spaniard Alcaraz, who has not dropped a set all tournament and was a comfortable winner against Czech Jiri Lehecka earlier in the day.
The Serb was bothered on numerous occasions by noise from the crowd while he was serving, putting his finger to his lips and blowing ironic kisses after winning the second set, In the third he remonstrated with umpire Damien Dumusois and Fritz threatened to take the contest to a fifth set, but ultimately Djokovic had the answers.
“It was an incredibly close match, really anybody’s match,” Djokovic said. “I thought I was lucky to save some crucial break points in the second and third sets. In these matches a few points decide the win.
Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 2, 2025 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his quarter final match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S.
“Tough for Taylor to finish on a double fault, he didn’t deserve that. In many of my service games I was just trying to stay alive. I’m really proud of the fight that I put in. I wear my heart on my sleeve always.”
“I didn’t feel like I was dominating from back of the court. In many of my service games, I was just trying to stay alive and fight for every ball … I’m proud of the fight I put in. I wear my heart on my sleeve for this sport, I’m still enjoying it.”
Djokovic saved five break points serving for the first set before eventually converting his second chance, raising his fist in celebration, serving for the second set, Djokovic was again unconvincing and on his 11th break point, Fritz finally converted only to play a dreadful service game at 5-5 and give the advantage straight back.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his quarter final match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S.
Although Djokovic appeared close to closing out the match, Fritz, buoyed by the crowd, rallied to take the third set. In the fourth, strong serving from both men kept the contest level until the 10th game, when Djokovic applied relentless pressure on Fritz’s serve. The fourth seed, who reached his first Grand Slam final here last year, saved two match points in long, intense rallies but ultimately double-faulted on the third.
Djokovic, seeking a fifth US Open title, celebrated the win with a dance for his daughter Tara as an eighth-birthday gift.
“The dance in the end, she’s going to rate me tomorrow on how good the dance was,” Djokovic said.
“She told me how to dance. It’s K-Pop Demon Hunters … Soda Pop is the name of the song. Obviously it’s a big thing globally for teenagers and for kids, but I didn’t know about it before.
“My daughter told me a few months ago about it. So we’re at home doing choreography and this is one of them. Hopefully I’ll make her smile when she wakes up tomorrow morning.”
Looking ahead, he expressed his intention to disrupt expectations of a final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner: “We know they’re the two best players in the world. Everybody’s probably expecting the final between them. I’m going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people.”
Sep 2, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory over Taylor Fritz of the United States in the quarterfinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
