Djokovic Battles Crowd, Beats Fritz to Reach U.S. Open Semifinals

Novak Djokovic beat Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 on Tuesday night at the U.S. Open, advancing to the semifinals while trading moments with a partisan Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

Djokovic took a two-set lead against the No. 4-seeded Fritz and repeatedly gestured toward fans who were vocally supporting the last American man remaining in the singles draw, even blowing kisses during the match. The victory improved Djokovic to 11-0 against Fritz and sent him into a record-extending 53rd Grand Slam semifinal, including a record-tying 14th at Flushing Meadows.

The match did not end without a fight. Fritz, the 2024 runner-up, took control in the third set to pull one back, forcing Djokovic to regroup in the fourth. Djokovic secured the victory after converting his third match point; he had to weather two earlier opportunities that produced long rallies in Fritz’s favor, and was seen leaning over with hands on his knees after those points. The match concluded when Fritz double-faulted on Djokovic’s final match point.

"I was just trying to survive," Djokovic said after the match. "It's one of those days where you just have to grind." He acknowledged the intensity of the crowd and the challenge posed by Fritz, who entered the night as the last American man in the singles field.

Fritz’s defeat extends the drought for American men at Grand Slam singles events; the United States has not produced a male major singles champion since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003. Djokovic’s win continues his consistent run deep into majors and keeps his bid alive for another Grand Slam title this season.

Djokovic’s path forward will see him in the semifinals — a round he has frequently reached at Flushing Meadows — as he looks to convert another late-stage appearance into a title challenge. Fritz leaves New York having pushed one of the game’s most successful players, but with an 0-11 head-to-head mark against Djokovic intact.