Novak Djokovic beats Taylor Fritz to reach US Open semifinals and keep alive hopes of 24th Grand Slam title

Surviving the exhausting heat and humidity of Flushing Meadows, Novak Djokovic saw the highest remaining American seed reach the last four of the US Open.

The 36-year-old Serb inflicted his eighth straight defeat on number nine Taylor Fritz to reach the semifinals, where he awaited the winner of the all-American clash between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.

Towards the end of a 6-1 6-4 6-4 win that lasted two hours and 35 minutes, Djokovic was becoming irritable, eager to hold off the Californian and save his energy for later challenges. Grateful to Fritz, he also sensed the tough conditions and threw in a comedy of errors – there were 51 unforced in total – after knocking him back for 4-4 in the third.

“I’m drenched in sweat, it was very humid, hard to play, but it was the same for both players. Not easy, but you have to fight, fight for your right to party,” Djokovic said.

“I’m going to play against another American, I have to be ready for whatever comes my way. People are expected to support the home player, I like the energy here on the pitch, I really thrive on that.’

On his return to New York after being ruled out last year for refusing to take a Covid shot, there is a feeling that Djokovic has yet to hit full throttle, but he has managed to capitalize on what has been a generous draw .

It will be his 47th Grand Slam semifinal for the Serbian, one more than Roger Federer.

“Obviously this is the sport that has given me so much in my life, I come from Serbia, a war-torn country in the 1990s. I’ve had a lot of setbacks,” he said.

“I’ve been through a lot with my family… without their support, without my parents I wouldn’t be here.”

He added: “There are a lot of things I’m really thankful for, obviously it’s a huge opportunity every time I get onto the field at this age, at this stage of my career. I don’t know how many more chances I will get, so I try to enjoy them as much as possible.