Erik Gudris | Monday, September 1, 2025
Image source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz Everyone was quick to do their opponents’ work Sunday night for the expected U.S. Open quarterfinals.
Now, they face each other, in the coveted “last four” position in New York.
Four-time U.S. Open champion and current No. 7 seed Djokovic relaxes German qualifiers Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 of Arthur Ashe Stadium. By doing so, Djokovic has achieved another milestone in his historical career.
Djokovic, 38, is now the oldest man in history, reaching all quarter-finals in one season.
Djokovic played his best tennis two weeks ago in New York and was happy with his overall performance.
“If you have good service, this will definitely help,” Djokovic said in court. “I think I did a great job in the last round and tonight. Maybe I don’t need to work as hard or unnecessary as I need. So I’m trying to use it with the serving box as accurately as possible.
“Most of my career running, I’ve been gliding, I’m polishing on the court, so I don’t think that’s going to change. But sometimes, when I have to be more aggressive and step in, I do my best. That’s it tonight, so I’m certainly happy with the performance.”
Djokovic’s next is last year’s finalist and currently fourth seed Fritz. The 28-year-old American blows into the last eight games of New York for the third straight year, beating the No. 21 seed with a convincing 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 21 seed Tomas Machac Czech.
“I had some last pair of fights, but I felt very, very dialed and prepared to go tonight. I thought I had a very solid game, put a lot of balls on the court, did a great job at the right time, and supported the game well with good contributions.”
Fritz needs some good service, and then some, if he wants to find a way through Djokovic.
So far, Djokovic Cameron Norrie (7-0), Struff (8-0), including Fritz (10-0).
Djokovic and Fritz face each other in the U.S. Open quarterfinals are 2023, the 24-time main champion’s 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win comfort.
“I don’t think Taylor will change any major because you know, obviously, you stick to a game plan like this, and you get into these places, you know what your strengths are. You stick to those, you know, you know, in the game, for him, the weapons are obviously service, and in his game, there are two big weapons in his game, two big weapons in his game,” faced Freitz again.
“I think he’s gotten a lot of progress over the years. The backhand is also very stable and very flat. For a big guy, he’s very good. I think that underestimates his action, especially in recent years, which may be something he might have been missing in his game.”
“For me, in my mind, I didn’t think about all the Novaks I didn’t know five years ago,” Fritz said of the upcoming game against Djokovic.
“You know, that’s what makes the best people the best. They won’t give you that moment. You have to go and take it.”
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