Novak Djokovic cruises past Fritz at US Open despite raising fitness fears

Novak Djokovic cut down big server Taylor Fritz to maintain his perfect record against Americans at the US Open and reach his record 47th Grand Slam sem-final. He overtakes the record he shared with Roger Federer (46).

The No.9 seed had seen his serve broken only once in 50 service games to reach the quarter-finals of his home Major for the first time. But Fritz failed to hold his serve in the set and was broken five times in all.

And the Serbian superstar, the best returner in the history of the sport, won 6-1 6-1 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes.

Despite a better third set and the support of the crowd in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Fritz never threatened to create an upset. He is now 0-8 against the Serb.

And Djokovic remains on collision course to re-match of the Wimbledon final with Carlos Alcaraz as he seeks his record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

Djokovic has now won all 12 of his matches against home players at Flushing Meadows – and he is unbeaten in 30 matches against Amerians since his shock defeat to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon in 2016.

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He is also the only player this season to reach the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slams and he showed why against the American No.1 as he handled the baking conditions on the court.

The No.9 seed, who had sent down a 142mph serve earlier in the tournament, did not serve well enough as he made only 55% of first serves. Fritz’s only game in the first set came when he broke Djokovic in the third game.

Djokovic served for the first set at 5-1 and won the first point with an outrageous backhand drop shot after Fritz fired over a fearsome forehand service return. He took his second set point with an ace after 43 minutes where Fritz hit four winners and 19 unforced errors.

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Fritz finally held his serve for the first time after 48 minutes as he won the first six points of the second set. Djokovic then appeared to be struggling with the heat on the hottest day of the tournament before recovering to serve out the first set with four big first serves.

After going 3-4 down in the third set, Fritz broke Djokovic for a second time to draw level at 4-4.

But the three-time US Open then immediately broke back and took his second match point – and screamed in celebration – when Fritz hooked a backhand into the net.

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