Taylor Fritz is 0-10 lifespan against Novak Djokovic. On Tuesday in the US Open Quarterfinals, Fritz gets another chance for the 24-way Grand SLAM champion.
And it’s his best so far.
While Fritz plays the best tennis of his career, Djokovic went in the wrong direction this season. The 38-year-old remains consistent with Majors, but three consecutive semifinal displays at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon was considered poor results by his standards. Although Djokovic Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 destroyed on Sunday evening, the Serbian had previously looked vulnerable against student ten, Zachary Svajda and Cameron Norrie. Even against Struff, Djokovic saw the trainer briefly a few times for an arm treatment.
Fritz also raised his level in the fourth round to erase Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. That was preceded by victories over Emiliano Nava, Lloyd Harris and Jerome Kym-Results who have improved Fritz’s record this season to 42-15. The fourth ranking is 25-5 in its last 30 games that dates back to the start of the Gras-Court Swing.
Of course Fritz’s hopeless record against Djokovic cannot be denied. The former world no. 1 is 23-3 in total sets and he has defeated the 27-year-old three times in Grand Slams (all at the Hard-Court Slams), including once at the US Open (2023 quarterfinals).
“I expect players who never won against me, get to the field and try something else and try to make me feel uncomfortable,” said Djokovic, who improved to 7-0 to Norrie after their third round match. “I don’t think there will be major changes with Taylor, because of course you stick to the type of game plan that brought you to the quarters and you know what your strengths are. You stick to those weapons, so to speak, in your game that clear to him [are] serving and forehand. ‘
“I think the first seven or eight times I played it, I was probably just not a good enough player to really have so much chance, unless I have the best day ever and he has a bad day,” Fritz reflected. “I think that only the last few times we played, I think I have just been this better player who could say, I could compete and have opportunities.
“I am not thinking of all the losses I had on Novak, like five years ago. I was not nearly close to the level of the player I am now.”
Fritz is exactly correct. Fast forward to 2025 and – as Djokovic mentioned – Fritz brings the two largest weapons to the table on Tuesday. The Underdog now also has the movement and consistency to hang with Djokovic in longer rallies. It is true that Djokovic has different immaterial benefits, such as the head-to-head record and experience at the business end of the Majors, but the world no. 7 will have to perform its game considerably to become benefits in a long, busy match.
It would not be shocking if Fritz ends the job before they come into play.
Pick: Fritz in 4
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