NEW YORK – It seems that Father Time will have to wait a few days before attempting another record in history’s most impressive streak.
That’s because Novak Djokovic, all of 38 years old, is on to the US Open semifinals again, after taking three hours and 24 minutes to oust No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals and extending his dominance in the head-to-head matchup. Djokovic, the No. 7 seed, moved to 11-0 against Fritz, the 2024 US Open finalist, and has beaten the last 21 Americans he has faced in Grand Slam events.
Djokovic, extending his record of Grand Slam semifinal appearances to 53, will next take on No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz on Friday, Sept. 5. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, has beaten Alcaraz the last two times they have faced each other: in the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals and the gold-medal match at the Paris Olympics last summer.
It will be the 14th US Open semifinal in Djokovic’s career, tying Jimmy Connors for most in tournament history. He also became the oldest man to reach the semifinals since Connors’ epic run in 1991.
With Fritz’s defeat, there are no American men left in the tournament, extending the country’s Grand Slam championship drought to 22 years, a streak that began after Andy Roddick’s victory at the 2003 US Open. Djokovic improved to 16-0 vs. Americans at the toournament.
Djokovic was aggressive from the beginning, while Fritz struggled to get his usually reliable serve over the net. The four-time US Open winner held onto leads of 3-0 and 4-1, before ultimately finishing off Fritz in the first set, 6-3.
Even when met with adversity, Djokovic battled, coughing up a 40-0 lead in the third game, thanks to three backhand unforced errors and a double fault, but Fritz failed to capitalize on a chance to break. It was even worse when Djokovic served for the set, and Fritz did not convert any of his five break chances.
Djokovic got the upper hand in the second set after a four-game stalemate of service holds, then again let Fritz make mistakes as he was broken in the 11th game, allowing Djokovic to take the set on his next service game.
Earlier in the tournament, there were concerns about Djokovic’s movements, as at times he looked slow, but he moved well throughout and found some power at times, serving up seven aces, and not letting his second serve become a liability – even as Fritz’s serve, which reached 134 mph, came to life during his 6-3 third-set triumph.
The fourth set held form for the first nine games, and Fritz dropped only three points on his serve. He was broken after Djokovic converted the last of his three match point opportunities when Fritz double-faulted in the final point of the contest.
Djokovic has now reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in the same year for the seventh time in his legendary career. His last final was at Wimbledon in 2024 and his last Grand Slam title was the 2023 US Open.
The victory will vault Djokovic past Fritz to No. 4 in the next ATP rankings, set to be released next week. The men’s quarterfinals continue Wednesday, Sept. 3 with two more matches, including No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner in primetime.
USA TODAY Sports had full coverage of the match between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz. Scroll below for highlights.
Djokovic defeats Fritz to advance to US Open semifinals
Novak Djokovic broke Taylor Fritz in the final game of the fourth set when Fritz double faulted on match points. Djokovic, the No. 7 seed and four-time US Open champion advances to the semifinals where he will take on No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz on Friday.
Fritz takes the third set 6-3
Fritz is looking like the fresher player and took his first set, putting all the pressure on the 38-year-old Djokovic, who has shown signs of slowing down as the match gets later in the night.
Fritz fighting way back into match during 3rd set
Could this be the turning point that Fritz has been looking for? Fritz got another break and is up 3-1 in the third set and is on serve with a chance to take command of the set. Djokovic is a ridiculous 78-1 at the US Open after winning the first.
Fritz breaks to tie, gives it away
Fritz received big applause after breaking Djokovic in the 10th game and has a chance to grab momentum for the first time in a while. But in the very next game, Fritz was broken, giving Djokovic a 6-5 lead, and he went on to win the set on his serve, inching him one step closer to the semifinals.
Djokovic has unleashed some power, serving up seven aces so far in the match, and is doing some major damage with his second serve.
Fritz again fails to convert breaks
The first four games of the second set held to form as Fritz again failed on numerous break point chances, as Djokovic converted three aces in the fourth game to even the score.
Djokovic takes first set
An impressive showing from Djokovic early, who isn’t showing any sign that his body is betraying him like in previous rounds of the tournament. Serving for the set, Djokovic was down 0-30 and 15-40, and Fritz failed to convert five break points. The set ended with Djokovic winning 6-3 when Fritz’s forehand sailed out of bounds.
Djokovic races out to early lead
Fritz seems to have a little bit of nerves in the early going, hitting balls out for unforced errors and not getting his usually reliable first serve over. Djokovic broke Fritz’s serve and is up a break.
Djokovic-Fritz showdown about ready to start
It’s a party atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium before Taylor Fritz, a 2024 US Open finalist, and Novak Djokovic, a four-time US Open winner, take the court, with the DJ blasting music and the more than 20,000 fans enjoying the entertainment. Fritz will attempt to break a 0-10 lifetime match record against Djokovic, who is vying for his 25th Grand Slam championship.
What time do Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz play at US Open?
The men’s quarterfinal match between No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz and No. 7 seed Novak Djokovic is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Taylor Fritz at US Open
No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz will face off against No. 7 seed Novak Djokovic in a men’s quarterfinal match inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 2
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream:ESPN+ and Fubo (free trial)
Location: UST Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (New York)
Watch the 2025 US Open on Fubo (free trial)
Novak Djokovic vs. Taylor Fritz head-to-head
Novak Djokovic has beaten Taylor Fritz all 10 times the two have played, including a straight-set win in the US Open quarterfinals in 2023. The two last played in 2024 in an ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai on outdoor hardcourts (similar to the US Open), which Djokovic won 6-4, 6-6 (8-6).