Novak Djokovic reached the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday in New York, beating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to set up a blockbuster last-four clash with Carlos Alcaraz, while Iga Swiatek prepares to face Amanda Anisimova on Arthur Ashe.
Key takeaways
- Novak Djokovic beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.
- Djokovic extended his head-to-head record over Fritz to 11-0 and pursues a record 25th major.
- Carlos Alcaraz progressed with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka and has not dropped a set in the tournament.
- Iga Swiatek meets US hopeful Amanda Anisimova on Arthur Ashe, scheduled as part of Wednesday evening play.
- Felix Auger-Aliassime led Alex de Minaur early in their match (3-2 in the first set, as of 17:03 BST).
- World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is due to face Lorenzo Musetti later in the session.
Verified facts
At Arthur Ashe Stadium, Novak Djokovic overcame Taylor Fritz in four sets to progress to the semi-finals. The Serbian saved a high proportion of his opponent’s opportunities at crucial moments, denying many break chances en route to a 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory. The result extended Djokovic’s unbeaten run against Fritz to 11 wins from 11 meetings.
Carlos Alcaraz sealed his quarter-final with a straight-sets victory over 20th seed Jiri Lehecka, winning 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Alcaraz has continued his run without dropping a set at this year’s US Open and will meet Djokovic in the semi-finals on Friday.
Iga Swiatek is scheduled to play Amanda Anisimova on Arthur Ashe later on Wednesday; the match is part of the evening session. Anisimova, the US favourite, will face the world-class Polish player in what is expected to be a high-profile showdown.
In other centre-court activity, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur were locked in a tight early battle, with the Canadian leading 3-2 in the opening set at the time of the last update. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is set to play compatriot Lorenzo Musetti in the later session.
Context & impact
Djokovic, 38, continues to chase a record 25th Grand Slam title. His win over Fritz underscores his ability to perform in clutch moments late into matches, prolonging the challenge for American men to produce a home Grand Slam finalist at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz’s unbeaten-sets run makes Friday’s semi-final an anticipated tactical and physical duel between two of the sport’s top talents. Alcaraz has also attracted attention for his unconventional preparation; he indicated he planned to play golf with former Masters champion Sergio Garcia ahead of the semi-final.
For the women’s draw, Swiatek’s match against Anisimova presents an opportunity for the American to leverage home support, while Swiatek aims to maintain the consistent form that has kept her among the tournament favourites.
Potential ramifications
- A Djokovic win would see him into another major final and extend his record Grand Slam chase.
- An Alcaraz victory over Djokovic would shift momentum in the men’s draw and mark a significant scalp given Djokovic’s recent form.
- A Swiatek loss could open the women’s draw and boost lower-seeded American hopes deep into the event.
Official statements
Djokovic said after the match that he celebrated for his daughter and acknowledged the personal side behind his post-win antics.
Post-match comments, Novak Djokovic
Unconfirmed
- The exact start time for Swiatek v Anisimova was listed as likely around 18:30 BST in live updates but remained subject to change by the tournament schedule.
- Early live-score details for Auger-Aliassime v De Minaur (3-2 lead) reflect the state at the 17:03 BST update and could have changed after that timestamp.
Bottom line
Djokovic’s victory keeps him on course for another major title and sets up a marquee semi-final with Alcaraz that promises high drama. On the women’s side, Swiatek’s meeting with Anisimova is among the most-watched evening matches and could influence the tournament’s late-stage balance.