Novak Djokovic is already into the semifinals, extending his remarkable run at the Australian Open. The Serbian icon captured his 25th Grand Slam title and earned a spot in an eleventh semifinal, where he will meet the winner of the Sinner versus Rublev clash. The scoreline in the latest victory over Taylor Fritz read 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, after a gripping three hours and forty-five minutes of high-intensity tennis. Fritz put up a stern fight early on, but Djokovic found another gear in the later sets, sealing the win and keeping his calendar year on a dramatic ascent.
The opening set tested Djokovic as he navigated heat and pressure. It took Djokovic an hour and twenty-four minutes to secure an advantage, while Fritz repeatedly answered with serve that hummed with precision. Fritz saved his serve eight times across the first two sets, including three saves in the first and three more in the second, plus two more in the ninth game. Djokovic acknowledged that Fritz served exceptionally well and that the tempo of the exchanges was high, noting the challenging conditions under the relentless sun. The Serbian star extended congratulations to Fritz for his tournament performance, sharing these thoughts in a post-match interview.
The American made a bold stand at 5-4 in the first set, holding two break points at 15-40 and applying pressure with aggressive play and precise service. Yet Djokovic steadied himself, forcing a tiebreaker with a 7-3 score in the decider after Fritz’ timely defense wavered on a couple of unforced errors.
“AMAZING”, the momentary crowd reaction echoed through the court as Fritz pressed forward in the early stages of the match. The contest drew praise from observers, underscoring the level of play on display at the tournament.
Djokovic entered the second set fatigued by the heat on a day pushing toward 31 degrees, and Fritz seized the opportunity to take the initiative with a firm first break. The American held the advantage through to the end of the set, even after Djokovic saved multiple break chances across various games. It marked a notable stretch in which Fritz demonstrated resilience and fortitude under pressure.
The second set saw Djokovic facing a crucial moment when he found himself trailing, but he answered with focused intensity, signaling his intent to tilt the match back in his favor. The encounter produced dramatic exchanges, with Fritz displaying a mix of powerful serves and clever shot selections, while Djokovic leveraged his experience to persevere and reclaim momentum as the match progressed.
By the time the second set concluded, Djokovic had settled into a steadier rhythm. He used a combination of aggressive serving and precise returning to confront Fritz’s rhythm, allowing Djokovic to control the pace from the baseline. The early rounds of the third set tipped in Djokovic’s favor, setting the tone for a dominant stretch that followed. Djokovic tallied a series of aces and effective serves, building a practical safety margin as he closed out the set with authority. He acknowledged that Fritz has one of the world’s best serves and recognized that the game began to click for him in the middle of the third set.
In the fourth set, Djokovic remained resolute while Fritz pressed on. The Serbian’s blend of tenacity and strategic play helped him withstand the American’s pressure, removing any risk of a fifth-set scenario. Djokovic served for the match and completed the victory in three hours and forty-five minutes, continuing his pursuit of more major milestones at Melbourne.
Looking ahead, Djokovic stands ready to face either Jack Sinner or Andrey Rublev in the next round. Both Sinner and Rublev entered the match with strong recent form, and Djokovic offered respect for both opponents, noting that their current level of play is impressive. He commented that Sinner has been playing some of the best tennis of his life since the end of the previous season, and he praised Rublev’s recent performance against a tough opponent, expressing excitement for what promises to be a memorable matchup. Djokovic encouraged fans to prepare for an entertaining clash, hinting that the upcoming contest could deliver high drama and exceptional athleticism.