LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Novak Djokovic displayed his dominance over American players in New York, defeating ninth-seeded Fritz in straight sets with scores of 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
This victory brings the 36-year-old Serbian star one step closer to securing his 24th men’s Grand Slam title, extending his record-breaking run.
Djokovic now holds the record for the most appearances in the last four of a Grand Slam, making his 13th appearance in the US Open semi-final.
His next opponent is the rising star Ben Shelton, who defeated 10th seed Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling all-American match during Tuesday’s night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic expressed his excitement, saying, “I’ve been playing on this court for many years, so many epic matches, and I cannot wait for another one in a few days’ time.”
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He acknowledged the challenging conditions, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) and high humidity, but emphasized the importance of fighting through such adversity.
Despite Fritz’s impressive journey to his first US Open quarter-final, where he had only lost serve once in four three-set wins, Djokovic broke him three consecutive times at the start of the match.
Djokovic faced four break points in the second set but managed to hold on, securing his place in the semi-finals and keeping his quest for a return to the world number one ranking alive.
On the other side of the court, Ben Shelton, an unseeded player, delivered a remarkable performance.
He unleashed 50 winners, relying on his powerful serve and blistering forehand to defeat Tiafoe with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2.
Shelton, who reached the quarter-finals in his Australian Open debut earlier in the year, has now reached the last four of a major for the first time, becoming the youngest American men’s semi-finalist in New York since 1992.
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Reflecting on his upcoming match against Djokovic, Shelton said, “It doesn’t get much better than that.”
He described the match as an emotional battle and highlighted the importance of digging deep, especially during the crucial third set.
Tiafoe, on the other hand, expressed regret over giving Shelton too many chances to stay in the match, acknowledging the lessons to be learned from such moments.
Despite the disappointment, he recognized the competitive nature of the sport and the need to bounce back.
In summary, Djokovic and Shelton showcased their prowess on a sweltering day at the US Open, setting the stage for an exciting semi-final showdown.