 "Novak Djokovic has never lost in a US Open quarter-final. Image: Reuters")
Novak Djokovic equalled Jimmy Connors’ record at the US Open as he set up a blockbuster semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz with a victory over Taylor Fritz. The 28-year-old Djokovic defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in a thrilling US Open 2025 quarter-final on Tuesday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
With his victory over Fritz, Djokovic reached his 14th semi-final at the US Open, the most in men’s tennis history, and the same as that of former American tennis star Jimmy Connors.
Djokovic extends his record at US Open 2025
It has to be noted that Djokovic has never lost at the quarter-final stage at the US Open. This is also the seventh time that Djokovic has reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in a year.
Coming to his match against Fritz. Djokovic extended the lead over the American to 11-0 as he saved 11 of 13 break points to storm into the semi-finals despite facing fitness and injury issues lately.
The final and fourth set was the most thrilling as Djokovic clinched a 5-4 lead by holding to love before losing out on two match points in the following game. He eventually won with Fritz committing a double fault. Djokovic now has a 16-0 record against Americans at the US Open.
The Serbian did not shy away from praising Fritz for his fighting display in the match. “It was an incredibly close match. It was really anybody’s match. I thought I was lucky to really save crucial breakpoints in the second set,” Djokovic said.
“For most of the second and third set he was the better player. In these kinds of matches, few points decide the winner. It was fortunately coming on my side, particularly at the end of the fourth set."
Earlier, the 2022 US Open champion Alcaraz, defeated Jiri Lehecka to advance to the semi-finals. He won his match 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.