Novak Djokovic triumphs over Taylor Fritz, advancing to record-breaking 47th Grand Slam semifinal at US Open

Novak Djokovic breaks Roger Federer's record to reach his 47th Grand Slam semifinal at the U.S. Open.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis player, achieved a remarkable feat at the U.S. Open on Tuesday, reaching his 47th Grand Slam semifinal. This surpasses Roger Federer's record and establishes Djokovic as the man with the most semifinal appearances in the history of men's tennis. He secured this milestone by defeating Taylor Fritz, an American player, in a straight-set victory of 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic's dominance in the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows continued, as he maintained his flawless record of 13 wins and 0 losses. In addition, his head-to-head record against Fritz now stands at a perfect 8-0. Despite the scorching heat and high humidity, both players battled through the challenging conditions.

The match took place with the Arthur Ashe Stadium retractable roof partially closed, providing some relief from the intense heat for both the players and the spectators. The temperature soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), making it one of the hottest days of the tournament. During the changeovers, Djokovic and Fritz sought ways to cool down, whether by removing their shirts temporarily, using ice-stuffed towels around their necks, or pouring water over their heads.

While Djokovic managed to find his rhythm and adjust his shots, Fritz struggled to find consistency throughout the match. In the first set alone, Fritz committed 19 unforced errors compared to just four winners. Although he improved as the match progressed, his inability to find the mark consistently proved costly. By the end of the match, Fritz had accumulated a staggering 51 unforced errors, nearly double the number of Djokovic's 26.

Looking ahead, Djokovic's next opponent in the semifinals will be either Frances Tiafoe, the 10th seed from the United States, or Ben Shelton, an unseeded player. The outcome of their match, scheduled for Tuesday night, will determine who will face Djokovic on Friday. Interestingly, this year marked the first time since 2005 that three American men reached the quarterfinals in New York, showcasing the resurgence of American tennis talent.

Despite the partisan crowd support for Fritz, Djokovic remained composed and focused throughout the match. However, there was a moment when Djokovic displayed some frustration, yelling and pumping his fists while looking into the stands. It was revealed that a spectator had called out during a point, which is against the rules of tennis. Djokovic later mentioned that the spectator was seated near his friends, and he was annoyed by the interruption. He even contemplated having a word with the individual through his friends.

Novak Djokovic's remarkable achievements and dominance in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open continue to solidify his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. As he progresses further in the tournament, tennis fans eagerly await to see if he can add another Grand Slam title to his already illustrious career.

[Source: AP tennis coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis]

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