US Open Quarterfinals Preview:
Novak Djokovic vs. Taylor Fritz
(Below is by Arthur Kapetanakis w slight edits for clarity)
* In a rematch of their quarterfinal match at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic and Fritz will meet once again on the physically biggest stage in tennis. Tuesday's evening showdown will be their fourth at the majors, including two at the Australian Open (2021, 2024).
* Djokovic is a perfect 10-0 against the American tennis prince, including five wins at the ATP Masters 1000 level. Seven of their 10 meetings have come on hard courts, including each of the past six. Eight of Djokovic's wins have come in straight sets, with their two Melbourne meetings the exceptions. Fritz battled back from two sets down to force a fifth set at the 2021 Australian Open, which the Serb went on to win, and he claimed the second set in their 2024 Melbourne meeting.
* Djokovic is bidding to reach all Grand Slam semifinals this year. He reached that stage at the previous three majors, but remains in search of his first Slam final since last summer at Wimbledon.
* Fritz is on the brink of his second consecutive major semifinal after reaching that stage at Wimbledon for the first time. The American advanced to four Grand Slam quarterfinals from 2022-24, then went beyond that for the first time by reaching last year's US Open final.
* Djokovic, making his 19th US Open appearance, is seeking sole possession of the all-time record for Grand Slam titles (25) and attempting to tie Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras for most US Open men’s singles titles in the Open Era (5). The Serb's 10 US Open men's singles final appearances are already the most in the Open Era.
* Fritz is making his 10th consecutive US Open main-draw appearance (2016-25), his first as a Top 5 seed and his fourth as the top American male. Last year, he beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals to become first American men’s Grand Slam finalist since Andy Roddick at 2009 Wimbledon and first at the US Open since Roddick in 2006.
* While Djokovic owns a 10-0 head-to-head record against Fritz, the Serb's dominance is even more lopsided against four other men: Gael Monfils (20-0), Jeremy Chardy (14-0), Milos Raonic (12-0) and Andreas Seppi (12-0).
Night match session in New York starts at 7:00 local time. Ladies play first (can never know but maybe 1-1.5 hours), then it’s Djoko/Fritz.
