WHAT HAPPENED: Top-ranked American Taylor Fritz waltzed through his first four rounds at the US Open without much fuss. 50 service games played, 49 service holds, zero sets dropped.
Safe to say, the 25-year-old was in scorching-hot form.
Then came Tuesday, and a quarterfinal date with 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Flushing Meadows.
Buzzsaw, meet buzzkill.
On a sweltering afternoon inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, Djokovic quickly laid down the marker as he engineered a lopsided 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Southern California native to remain undefeated in US Open quarterfinals (13-0) and pass Roger Federer on the all-time Grand Slam semifinal list with 47.
“I was very lucky to encounter some very knowledgeable, very passionate people that supported me, believed in my talent and without them, without their support–my parents are here–I wouldn’t be here,” Djokovic told the crowd.
“That’s the long answer of what goes through my head when I hear these numbers–there are a lot of things that I’m very grateful for. Obviously it’s a huge opportunity every single time I step out on the court at this age and this stage of my life, I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get so I’m trying to enjoy as much as I can."
Djokovic, who improved to 8-0 lifetime against Fritz, took command early and never relinquished control as he methodically marched to his 359th Grand Slam singles victory and set a semifinal clash with either tenth-seeded Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton.
Shelton and Tiafoe will play on Tuesday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“One thing is for sure, I’m going to be enjoying that match from my sofa, with my physiotherapy and massage and popcorn and a nice drink,” Djokovic said with a smile.
“Obviously I’m going to be playing another American. I have to be ready for whatever is going to come my way from the opposite side of the net, both Tiafoe and Shelton are very charismatic and very dynamic players. They bring a lot of passion and a lot of energy, a lot of speed and strength on court–it’s going to be great to watch them and let’s see what happens on Friday.”
Virtually untouchable through four rounds to reach his first quarterfinal at the US Open, Fritz was cooled off quickly by the game’s best returner. In a mere 28 minutes Djokovic had three service breaks under his belt and a 5-1 lead in the first.
Though the No.2 seed appeared bothered by the heat and his own inability to make first serves – he only made four of his first 14 first-serves, tossed in a pair of double-faults in his first two service games, and allowed Fritz to break him back for 2-1 early in the match – he was quick to respond to adversity in the opening set and a half.
He managed his stress, conserved his energy and kept forcing the hard-serving American into difficult spots during Fritz’s service games.
After closing out the opening set in 43 minutes, Djokovic connected for his fourth break to lead by a break at 2-1 in the second set.
“He’s only held once—amazing,” said former world No. 5 Jimmy Arias, who commentated on the match, of Fritz. “Part of that is that he’s not making first serves.”
Djokovic held the rest of the way to close out the second set and, as Fritz finally started to get his teeth into the match in the third, survived a trade of breaks before eventually locking down his victory in two hours and 35 minutes.
The third set felt like a missed opportunity for Fritz, who hit 14 winners to seven for Djokovic, and earned six break points—but converted only one.
As is so often the case, Djokovic played the big points better and rose to the occasion to write another chapter of his legacy into the US Open record books.
WHAT IT MEANS: Djokovic reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal over 16 years ago at the 2007 French Open, and achieved the feat in New York for the first time in 2007 as well. With his win, Djokovic improved to 46-10 lifetime in major quarterfinals.
Grand Slam Semifinals, All-Time
Novak Djokovic, 47
Roger Federer, 46
Rafael Nadal, 38
Jimmy Connors, 31
Ivan Lendl, 28
Djokovic is one shy of Jimmy Connors on the all-time US Open semifinal list.
MATCH POINT: Djokovic improves to 85-13 overall at the US Open—he will bid to reach his 10th final at Flushing Meadows and a record 36th Grand Slam final on Friday.
