Novak Djokovic is into yet another US Open semi-final, as his ageless, limitless career continues to defy the odds.
It’s actually unfathomable just how impressive he continues to be despite being just shy of 39 years old, still regularly thwarting 99% of players on the tour.
Alas, it is that crucial 1% who continues to prevent him from securing that record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, and he will face one half of them next in Carlos Alcaraz.
For now, he should revel in the result he has just claimed, knocking out the last remaining American man in Taylor Fritz.
It was always going to be an uphill task for the 27-year-old, seeking to defy history given the 10-0 head-to-head record in favour of Djokovic. Sadly for him, he did not manage to make a dent in his senior opponent.
Novak Djokovic makes history with win over Taylor Fritz
And, in beating Fritz and reaching the US Open semi-finals, Novak Djokovic has actually secured yet another little slice of remarkable history.
However, it pertains to his year as a whole rather than this specific tournament, outlining not only his remarkable longevity, but also the ability to continue competing fiercely at the sport’s very best events.
By reaching yet another Grand Slam semi-final, his fourth in as many majors throughout 2025, he has become the first player in Open Era history to accomplish that feat at his age: 38 years and 94 days.
Nobody has ever been as old as he has and performed as consistently across a single calendar season.
And what’s even more impressive is that it’s not even a surprising statistic for the legendary veteran.
Novak Djokovic breezes past Taylor Fritz in US Open quarter-final
Whilst Djokovic will walk away from tonight’s match beaming, Fritz will be so frustrated with himself.
After all, it marks yet another missed opportunity for the American to trouble the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who has never beaten him in his entire career.
As expected, it was a tight affair, with Djokovic actually forging fewer break-point opportunities (nine) than his opponent (13).
However, his unflinching mindset and exceptional ability to rise to the biggest occasions clearly allowed him to be more ruthless in the key moments, converting four break points to Fritz’s two.
Even a mid-match argument with the umpire could not break his rhythm, with this the second time this tournament he has been embroiled in officiating controversy.
The other time was when Cameron Norrie complained to the umpire about Djokovic’s time-wasting just last week.
In the end, this result marks another huge victory for the Serbian and another failed effort from Fritz.
