Australian Open: Djokovic beats Fritz in four sets to reach the semi-finals
After an intense and balanced start, top favorite Novak Djokovic defeated the American Taylor Fritz in four sets after 3:45 hours of play.
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit: Jan 23, 2024, 02:37 pm
Here you can read the entire match in the live ticker.
The role of favorite before the quarter-finals between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz was clearly given to the Serb, after all, the 10-time Australian Open champion has won all eight duels on the tour against the American so far.
Symbolic of the intensity in the first round was Fritz's first serve game at the start of the game, which went over nine times and in which the American had to fend off three break points from his Serbian opponent. After Djokovic was unable to take advantage of five more break chances, the 36-year-old was faced with two set points at 5:6, which he was able to fend off and thus postpone the decision to the tiebreak. There he increased his previously weak rate of first serves and started with a quick 4-0 lead. With an outstanding backhand passing ball, Djokovic got five running set points, of which he was able to convert the third with a mistake from Fritz forced by a net attack to make it 7:3 after 80 minutes.
Despite losing the opening round, Fritz did not give up and managed the first break of the encounter in the first game of the second act. Djokovic's body language continued to appear unconvincing. Until the end of the set, the Serb was unable to capitalize on any of his 15 break chances in the match and had to accept the set equalizer after the American's serve game was to zero.
In the third round, Djokovic increased his level, while Fritz was already showing the first signs of physical wear and tear during his movements. After a quick 3-0 lead, with his first break of the game, the 24-time Grand Slam champion took his opponent's serve again at the end of the set.
Djokovic didn't let up in the fourth act either, while the problems on Fritz's left foot seemed to get worse and worse. After a clever forehand from the American, the world number one had two break points in the eighth game, of which he was able to use the first to take a 4-2 lead. Although Fritz was able to counter again with the direct re-break, Djokovic then won two games and a row and secured the score 7:6 (3), 4:6, 6:3, 6 with a forehand winner inside-out: 2 success after 3:45 hours of play.
In the on-court interview with the injured Australian tennis professional Nick Kyrgios, the top seed commented: "I suffered a lot in the first sets. It was very hot, physically and emotionally very draining. It will be difficult in the semi-finals, both are in one excellent form."
In his 48th Grand Slam semi-final, Djokovic will face the winner of the second quarter-final between No. 4 seeded Italian Jannik Sinner and No. 5 seeded Andrey Rublev from Russia.
Here is the individual tableau in Melbourne
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