Djokovic Triumphs Over Fritz, Advances to 11th Australian Open Semifinal

Novak Djokovic demonstrated resilience against both the intense heat and Taylor Fritz’s tenacious performance to secure his place in the Australian Open semi-finals. The world number one overcame a challenging start, ultimately prevailing 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic acknowledged the taxing conditions, stating, “Physically and emotionally very draining.” He now awaits the outcome of the Jannik Sinner vs. Andrey Rublev match for a shot at reaching Sunday’s final.

Reflecting on the match, Djokovic commended Fritz’s commendable efforts, acknowledging the American’s outstanding performance throughout the tournament. Despite struggling with the conversion of break points, Djokovic highlighted breaking Fritz at crucial moments in the third and fourth sets.

This victory extends Djokovic’s remarkable Melbourne streak to 33 consecutive wins since 2018, a streak interrupted in 2022 due to vaccination-related reasons. The 36-year-old’s perfect 8-0 record against the 12th-seeded American was maintained with a typical display of resilience.

The first set, lasting 84 minutes, saw Fritz holding two set points on Djokovic’s serve, but the Serbian champion thwarted both attempts and clinched the set in a tie-break. Djokovic faced a setback in the second set, suffering the first break of the match upon his return to the court. Fritz fought off numerous break points, leveling the match.

However, Djokovic seized control in the third set, breaking Fritz and securing a crucial advantage. A breakthrough in the sixth game of the fourth set paved the way for Djokovic’s third and decisive break. Despite Fritz’s efforts to stage a comeback with a fortunate net cord, a double fault in the subsequent game handed Djokovic the initiative, securing his victory.

This triumph propels Djokovic closer to tennis history, standing just two wins away from claiming an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. With 24 majors, he shares the record with Margaret Court but looks poised to surpass this milestone, already leading the men’s field by a significant margin. Djokovic’s unparalleled success in the Australian Open, especially in the semi-finals, positions him on the brink of making tennis history.