Novak Djokovic defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the US Open quarterfinals, ending the sole American competitor's run and extending his unbeaten record against Fritz to 11-0. Fritz converted two of 13 break points and missed key opportunities that could have shifted momentum. Djokovic displayed trademark mental resilience over three hours and 24 minutes, notably saving five break points in a single game while serving at 5-3 in the opening set. Djokovic faced heckling from the crowd and said he would use the two-day break to recover and aim to be fit for a potential five-set semifinal with Carlos Alcaraz.
And so, the wait for an American men's grand slam champion goes on for another year at least. Taylor Fritz, the sole American competitor remaining in the men's draw, went down fighting in his four-set defeat against Novak Djokovic in the US Open quarter-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night, but ultimately came up short against an opponent that has now beaten him 11 times without loss.
I would really love to be fit enough to play potentially five sets with Carlos, Djokovic said. I know that my best tennis is going to be required, but I rise to the occasion. Normally, I like to play the big matches on a big stage. It's just that I'm not really sure how the body is going to feel in the next few days.
That was particularly evident in the opening set, when Djokovic saved break point after break point while serving for the set at 5-3. The 24-time grand slam champion saved a staggering five break points in a single game, producing a stunning array of shots to keep Fritz at bay, one of which included an overhead smash after a pulsating 25-shot rally.
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