Watch: Novak Djokovic Blows Kisses to Silence Partisan US Open Crowd During Taylor Fritz Clash

Fritz has now lost 11th consecutive matches to Djokovic. Last year, the 27-year-old came close to ending American men’s Grand Slam title drought, but he lost in straight sets to World No.1 Jannik Sinner.

It was an incredibly close match. It was really anybody’s match. I thought I was lucky to really save some crucial break points in the second set.

Novak Djokovic said during the on-court interview

No American is now left in the men’s draw after Fritz’s exit. In the women’s draw, two American women have a chance to end the home Grand Slam title. Amanda Anisimova will be clashing with Iga Swiatek for a spot in the semifinals, while Jessica Pegula has a scheduled semifinal match against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

I think for most of the second and third sets, he was a better player, and in this kind of match, a few points decide a winner. It was fortunately coming my side, particularly at the end of the fourth… the last game was nerve-wracking, honestly tough one for Taylor to finish up with the double faults he didn’t deserve that. But great fight and great tournament for him for sure.

Novak Djokovic added

It was Fritz’s second quarterfinal in a Major this season. At Wimbledon, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals.

Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals

There was at least a 12-year age gap between Novak Djokovic and the rest of the quarterfinalists. Djokovic will need all of his experience in the semifinal, given that he will be up against none other than Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz, who is bidding to win his second US Open title (after victory in 2022), knocked out Jiri Lehecka in the last eight. Alcaraz will have an edge when he enters Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday (September 5). But he has lost the last two matches against Nole, trailing 3-5 in the head-to-head encounters.

Those last two wins that Djokovic clinched came in the final of last year’s Paris Olympics and in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinals. Djokovic, after beating Alcaraz in Melbourne, was forced to withdraw from the semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to an injury.

At the French Open and Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner knocked him out in straight sets in the semifinals. The US Open is the first tournament Djokovic has played since Wimbledon, skipping both the Masters 1000s Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters held before the US Open.

While Alcaraz is bidding to win his seventh title of the season, Djokovic has so far claimed the ATP 250 Geneva Open. One of those six titles Alcaraz clinched is the French Open (by beating Sinner). Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open against Daniil Medvedev. He is the last player other than Sinner and Alcaraz to win a Grand Slam title, as the two top players have ended the last seven Major events in their favor.