By Erik Gudris | Monday, September 1, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz each made quick work of their opponents Sunday night to set up an anticipated US Open quarterfinal showdown.
Now they face each other for a coveted “Final Four” spot in New York.
The four-time US Open champion and current No. 7 seed Djokovic eased past German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. By doing so, Djokovic earned another milestone in his historic career.
The 38-year-old Djokovic is now the oldest man in history to reach all four major quarterfinals in one season.
Djokovic, who played some of his best tennis so far this fortnight in New York was pleased with his performance overall.
“It definitely helps if you serve well,” Djokovic said on court when asked if it was his goal to keep matches short. “I think I had a great serving performance in the last round, and also tonight. Maybe I don’t need to work as hard, or unnecessarily more, than I have to. So I’m trying to use the box with the serve, as accurately and efficiently as possible.
“Most of my career I was running, I was sliding, I was grinding on the court, so I don’t think that’s going to change. But at times, when I have to be more aggressive and step in, I try to do that. That was the case tonight, so of course I’m pleased with the performance.”
Next up for Djokovic is last year’s finalist and current No. 4 seed Fritz. The 28-year-old American breezed into the last eight of New York for the third consecutive year with a convincing 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 21 seed Tomas Machac of Czechia.
“I had some battles last couple matches, but just felt very, very dialed in, ready to go tonight. Thought I played just really solid, put a lot of balls in the court, was aggressive at the right times, and backed it up well with good serving,” Fritz said after the match.
Fritz will need some good serving, and then some, if he wants to find a way past Djokovic.
So far, Djokovic has enjoyed a commanding 25-0 head to head against his last two opponents Cameron Norrie (7-0), Struff (8-0), and including Fritz (10-0).
The last time Djokovic and Fritz faced each other in the US Open quarterfinals was 2023 where the 24-time major champion enjoyed a comfortable 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win.
“I don’t think there’s going to be any major changes with Taylor, because, you know, obviously you stick to the kind of a game plan that got you to the quarters, and you know what your strengths are. You stick to those, you know, weapons, so to say, in your game, which for him obviously is serve and forehand, two big weapons in his game”, Djokovic said on facing Fritz again.
“I think over the years he has improved with his movement a lot. Backhand is also very solid, very flat. For a big guy, he moves really well. I think it’s quite underestimated how well he’s moving, and particularly last couple years, which was something that was probably missing in his game from before.”
“For me, in my head, I’m not thinking about all the losses I had to Novak when I was, I don’t know, like, five years ago. I was nowhere near the level of player that I am now,” Fritz said about the upcoming match with Djokovic.
“You know, that’s what makes the best guys the best guys. They’re not going to give it to you in those moments. You have to go and take it,” Fritz added.
