20:24
Fritz 1-4 Djokovic
For the first time a game goes on without a break chance. Djokovic doesn’t hesitate, determines the following rally and finishes with an overhead ball.
20:23
Fritz – Djokovic 1: 3
Djokovic fires his first ace of the match and thus organizes a cue ball.
20:22
Fritz – Djokovic 1: 3
Djokovic is still good for double mistakes, this is his third. But since Fritz has already made 16 and twice as many minor mistakes as his opponent, the US boy can’t do much.
20:20
Fritz – Djokovic 1: 3
There is a second breakball. Fritz brings in movement with a stop. After that, Djokovic is insurmountable on the net. The Serb has to go deep down to the backhand volley, plays it so sensitively and briefly crosses and now has a break again.
20:17
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
Then a forehand played cross by Fritz does not find its way into the field. The fourth game also has a breakball ready. The Californian defends this a little later with an ace.
20:16
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
Shortly thereafter, Fritz succeeds with a fine backhand praise and gets the recognition of his opponent. But the 25-year-old just can’t play the game. Three game balls have already been awarded.
20:15
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
For the first time it will be something spectacular. Djokovic tries the stop, Fritz runs it and can keep moving to rush after the praise. Shortly thereafter, the Americans get in the way of the network.
20:14
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
Fritz is unable to use the game ball he has won, but gets another chance right away.
20:13
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
In addition, the first serve still does not work on either side, the values are around 30 percent. But then Fritz manages the first ace of the match.
20:11
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
The points will continue to be awarded primarily for mistakes. There is only one winner on each side. That says everything about the poor level of this game.
20:08
Fritz 1-2 Djokovic
And in this case, too, the server throws it away himself. A forehand from the Serb lands just off the side. This is the re-break for Fritz to 1:2 – everything back in line!
20:07
Fritz 0-2 Djokovic
But since Djokovic hasn’t really got going yet, there is also breakball in the third game of the match.
20:06
Fritz 0-2 Djokovic
Although Djokovic is still far from top form, doesn’t show anything extraordinary here, and he’s even made the second double mistake, that’s enough so far. Because Fritz still gets almost nothing on the line, has already fabricated ten unforced errors.
20:05
Fritz 0-2 Djokovic
Now Fritz is looking for the initiative, goes to the net with a good forehand ball and carelessly messes up the backhand volley there.
20:03
Fritz 0-2 Djokovic
Now Fritz throws away his service game himself, throws a backhand without needing it and gives Djokovic the early break to make it 2-0 from the Serb’s point of view.
20:02
Fritz 0-1 Djokovic
Djokovic is also unable to use the break opportunity because the backhand return doesn’t quite fit. But Fritz immediately offers another chance.
20:01
Fritz 0-1 Djokovic
But then a backhand from Fritz made contact with the ground too late. And so the Californian also offers a breakball early on.
20:00
Fritz 0-1 Djokovic
Then Fritz’s arm swings really well for the first time. The forehand produces his first winner of the match. 30 both!
19:59
Fritz 0-1 Djokovic
Now Fritz is struggling with his own serve. Here, too, the first may come rarely. There are also minor errors. 0:30!
19:58
Fritz 0-1 Djokovic
Fritz cannot use the Serb’s difficulties to his advantage because he also makes a lot of mistakes. And then there is a first good rally. Djokovic plays the stop that his opponent runs. But the backhand volley from the longtime number 1 followed.
19:55
Fritz 0-0 Djokovic
Again and again the second has to serve, but Fritz cannot use the break chance because a forehand gets too long for him.
19:55
Fritz 0-0 Djokovic
The first serve doesn’t work for Djokovic. Then the 36-year-old is unfavorably on hand, throws it into the net and faces a breakball.
19:52
Fritz 0-0 Djokovic
Then the Djoker risks the second and promptly produces the first double fault. Both players are still not finding their rhythm at all.
19:51
1 sentence
Now Djokovic opens the match with the roof half open and it’s 33 degrees. The Serb has to try the second serve. Fritz’s forehand return lands in the net.
19:48
Head 2 Head
In the previous duels with the Djoker, Fritz has not seen any land. There were seven matches, all of them went to the Serb, who only had to give up a round at the Australian Open 2021 – at that time he was forced to play over five sets. The last meeting took place recently in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati, Djokovic won 6-0, 6-4.
19:44
Entry and coin toss
Our protagonists have just entered the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. After a few steps of preparation, you meet with the chair umpire Damien Dumusois to vote at the net. The coin falls in favor of Djokovic, who decides to serve. Then both play a bit.
19:38
Six-time tournament winner
At the Grand Slam level, Fritz recorded his best performance as a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon 2022. That year, the Californian was also in the semifinals of the ATP Finals and won his only Masters title so far (Indian Wells). At the beginning of this season, the right-hander climbed to number 5 in the world rankings and is currently number 9. In 2023, Fritz played in two finals, winning the 250s in Delray Beach and Atlanta. In total, Fritz has six career titles.
19:28
Fritz at the US Open
Taylor Fritz is in the main draw at Flushing Meadows for the eighth time since 2016, having failed at the first qualifying hurdle in each of the two previous years. Since then, the American has never progressed past the third round, so this year is in unknown heights. On his way so far, the 25-year-old has presented himself very confidently, hasn’t dropped a single set and was only on the pitch for a little more than two hours against the Swiss Dominic Stricker. In the matches against compatriot Steve Johnson, the Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas and the Czech Jakub Menšík, Fritz, who was 9th seeded, never lost more than five games.
19:18
The path of Djokovic
Djokovic is aiming for his 96th tournament victory, his fifth this season after Adelaide, the Australian Open, the French Open and most recently the Cincinnati Masters. Last week the 2nd seeded Serb started with two easy victories against Frenchman Alexandre Müller and Spaniard Bernabé Zapata Miralles. The 36-year-old then caught up a two-set deficit against compatriot Laslo Djere and fought for victory for almost four hours. In the round of 16 against Borna Gojo, it was quite fast again in three sets.
19:08
Number 1 again soon
The Djoker also recorded the most Masters titles (39), including the Golden Masters with victories in all events currently taking place. As a six-time ATP champion, he is also unmatched. And the right-hander also spent most of his weeks at the top of the world rankings. And that’s where he will return after this tournament. That is already certain, even if throne holder Carlos Alcaraz wins the US Open again.
18:58
record hunter
After his forced or self-inflicted absence in 2022, Djokovic is now at the US Open for the 17th time since 2005. The Serb has already picked up three titles here (2011, 2015, 2018) and was also in the final six more times – including his last appearance in 2021. Whenever the 36-year-old serves, the title is of course the goal. Djoker already has the sole Grand Slam record for men (23 titles), while Margaret Court is one win ahead of all genders (24).
18:48
Welcome
Welcome to the US Open! In Flushing Meadows, the quarter-finals in the individual competitions are on the rise today. Among them is the duel between Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic, which we expect around 19:30 CEST.