Printed On 3 Sep 2025
Novak Djokovic arrange a titanic US Open semifinal with Carlos Alcaraz because the Serbian star saved his bid for a report twenty fifth Grand Slam firmly on monitor.
The 38-year-old Djokovic superior to a record-equalling 14th US Open semifinal on Tuesday with a four-set win over fourth seed Taylor Fritz, eliminating the final American within the males’s draw.
Djokovic’s 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory noticed him enhance to 16-0 towards US opponents in New York, as he reached the final 4 of a serious for the 53rd time.
“It was an extremely shut match. It was actually anyone’s match,” mentioned Djokovic, who additionally drew degree with Jimmy Connors for essentially the most US Open semifinal appearances.
“I assumed I used to be actually fortunate to avoid wasting essential break factors within the second set. I feel for a lot of the second and third units, he was the higher participant.”
Fritz saved two match factors in a decent fourth set, earlier than sealing his personal destiny with a double fault.
“That final sport was nerve-racking. A tricky one for Taylor to complete with a double fault; he didn’t deserve that,” mentioned Djokovic.
Djokovic and Alcaraz will sq. off for the primary time for the reason that Australian Open quarterfinals in January, when the Serbian gained in 4 units to take a 5-3 edge of their rivalry.
Friday’s encounter is their fifth at a Grand Slam, however first at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic has gained all three previous conferences on exhausting courts.
Djokovic spars with crowd, wears down Fritz
Djokovic broke Fritz right away inside a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium as he zipped right into a 3-0 lead within the first set and introduced up set level on his opponent’s serve within the eighth sport.
Fritz resisted and piled on the stress within the following sport, incomes 5 break factors.
He couldn’t convert, although, as Djokovic relied on his trademark grit to foil Fritz, together with in an astonishing 25-stroke rally.
Djokovic finally held to clinch the set, however Fritz carved out extra probabilities within the fourth and sixth video games of the second set.
His failure to capitalise allowed Djokovic to once more seize the initiative by breaking for a 4-3 benefit. Fritz broke again with Djokovic serving for a two-set lead, solely to tamely give up his personal serve with a double-fault within the ensuing sport.
Djokovic made no mistake this time to pouch the set and mockingly blew kisses to the group as he walked to his chair.
However he started to get riled up with the pro-Fritz assist prepared their man again into the competition, prompting Djokovic to plead with the umpire to do extra to quieten the group.
His focus dipped fleetingly, and Fritz broke to nudge 3-1 forward and drive a fourth set. It went on serve till Djokovic introduced up two match factors with Fritz attempting to remain alive.
Fritz scrambled to save lots of each, however Djokovic earned one other shot and the American double-faulted to seal his rival’s passage to the final 4.
Alcaraz demolishes Lehecka
Earlier on Tuesday, Alcaraz, who has but to drop a set at Flushing Meadows in 2025, cruised into the semifinals, demolishing Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz had the group within the palm of his hand as he fired off 28 winners and by no means confronted a break level, placing on yet one more virtually pristine efficiency.
Alcaraz broke within the first sport, helped on his approach by a pair of Lehecka double faults, and the Spaniard acquired the group going as he triumphed in an exciting, cat-and-mouse trade on the web within the tenth sport, sending a backhand winner streaking previous the Czech.
The 2022 champion saved the momentum going within the second set, changing a break level on the web within the first sport, and Lehecka turned visibly agitated as he went down one other break with a double fault within the seventh sport.
Alcaraz smiled in disbelief as he nailed a collection of exact photographs to arrange a break level within the seventh sport of the ultimate set, however Lehecka dug in to carry.
Alcaraz let loose a triumphant cheer as he prevailed in a 12-shot rally on break level within the ninth sport and deployed his golf swing celebration to the delight of fellow Spaniard and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who was in attendance.
“I simply performed a extremely – or virtually – good match,” he mentioned. “I’m simply feeling nice and hungry to make it.”
The five-time main winner has solely been damaged as soon as up to now within the event and will retake the primary world rating from Italy’s Jannik Sinner, though he’s attempting not to consider it.
“If I take into consideration the primary spot an excessive amount of, then I’m going to place stress on myself, and I don’t need to do this,” he mentioned.
