Novak Djokovic produced a masterful display at the US Open to secure a quarter-final showdown with Taylor Fritz. The Serbian had struggled through to the fourth round, battling physical issues and some surprising lapses, but he swept aside qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-3 6-2 in just one hour and 49 minutes under the floodlights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic required medical attention during his victory over Cameron Norrie on Friday for back treatment, and received a shoulder massage twice during this encounter, yet there seemed little reason for alarm as the world number one served superbly and struck the ball with precision. He has now become the first player to reach the quarter-finals or better at all four Grand Slams across nine separate seasons, with a record-breaking 25th major championship once more within touching distance. Yet Djokovic remains cautious after recent disappointments, explaining: “The last couple of years, if I learned one thing right now, it’s to take really one match at a time.
“Of course, I’m dreaming about winning another slam, and it would be amazing if I do it here. But I can’t allow myself to go that far with my thinking, because I just need to focus on what needs to be done to win the next match.
“The last Grand Slam I won was here two years ago. To close the circle here again would be great. Let’s see.
“What gives me a lot of encouragement right now and positivity is the way I played tonight. Best performance of the tournament so far. Hopefully I can keep that going.”
Djokovic has yet to encounter another seed but that will alter in the upcoming round when he meets fourth seed and last year’s runner-up Fritz.
Fritz remains the sole American male competitor after cruising into the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory over 21st seed Tomas Machac.
Should he wish to progress further, Fritz must overcome Djokovic for the first time in 11 encounters.
He believes he has been edging closer, stating: “I think the first seven or eight times I played him, I probably just wasn’t a good enough player to really have that much of a chance unless I have the best day ever and he has a bad day.
“I think only the last couple of times we’ve played I’ve been this just better player that can compete and have chances. I just haven’t been able to make it happen in the important moments of those matches.
“That’s what makes the best guys the best guys. They’re not going to give it to you in those moments. You have to go and take it.”
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz dipped into his arsenal of skills to defeat Arthur Rinderknech and become the youngest player in the Open Era to secure 13 Grand Slam quarter-final appearances. For the first time in his 13 appearances, the Spanish player has sailed into the quarter-finals without losing a set, securing a 7-6 (3) 6-3 6-4 victory over Frenchman Rinderknech.
At just 22 years and three months old, he is younger than both Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker, who are the only other two men to have reached as many major quarter-finals before their 23rd birthdays.
The Spaniard had the New York audience on their feet when he won a point in a tight opening set with a shot played behind his back, while in the third set he showcased a series of stunning passes.
“Sometimes I practise it, I’m not going to lie,” Alcaraz admitted with a grin when asked about his unconventional shots.
“I don’t practise it too many times, it’s just if the opportunity is there I will try. And then in the match it’s kind of the same. Why not? The people like it. I like playing tennis like this.”
Alcaraz is set to face his highest-ranked opponent yet, with Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka up next after a 7-6 (4) 6-4 2-6 6-2 win against veteran Adrian Mannarino.
