{"id":97643,"date":"2023-09-06T10:12:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T10:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/09\/06\/novak-djokovic-beats-taylor-fritz-to-reach\/"},"modified":"2023-09-06T10:12:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T10:12:28","slug":"novak-djokovic-beats-taylor-fritz-to-reach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/09\/06\/novak-djokovic-beats-taylor-fritz-to-reach\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic beats Taylor Fritz to reach"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Novak Djokovic (36) became the oldest US Open semi-finalist since Jimmy Connors (39) in 1991
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Novak Djokovic reached a record 47th men\u2019s Grand Slam semi-final with a straight-set win over Taylor Fritz at the US Open.<\/p>\n

The Serb, 36, prevailed 6-1 6-4 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to continue his pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.<\/p>\n

Djokovic achieved his victory despite temporarily appearing to struggle with the heat and humidity in New York.<\/p>\n

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The three-time champion will face home hope\u00a0Ben Shelton<\/strong>\u00a0in the last four.<\/p>\n

Shelton, in contrast to Djokovic, will be appearing in his first Grand Slam semi-final following his win over compatriot Frances Tiafoe.<\/p>\n

Djokovic maintained his perfect record in US Open quarter-finals \u2013 with this his 13th win in a row at that stage \u2013 to overtake Roger Federer for most Grand Slam men\u2019s semi-final appearances.<\/p>\n

The victory also moved him within two wins of equalling Australian Margaret Court\u2019s tally of major singles triumphs.<\/p>\n

On achieving another record, Djokovic said: \u201cThis is the sport that has given me so much in my life. Coming from Serbia, a war-torn country when I was growing up, I faced a lot of adversity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was lucky to encounter some very knowledgeable and passionate people. Without their support, and my parents, I wouldn\u2019t be here without their love and incredible sacrifice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is the long answer for what goes through my head when I hear those numbers [of records he has broken]. There\u2019s a lot of things I am very grateful for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Djokovic overcomes physical issues to reach last four<\/h3>\n
\"Novak
The temperature exceeded 30C at the US Open on Tuesday as a heatwave hit New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite an admirable effort, American Fritz, 25, could not earn any reward as Djokovic delivered a devastating performance in hot temperatures at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n

The warmest day of the 2023 tournament, with the temperature hitting 32C and high humidity, led to the heat rule being invoked and the roof partially closing to provide shade.<\/p>\n

Fritz had a break point in the opening game and showed he would not be overawed by Djokovic when he broke back in game three.<\/p>\n

However, Djokovic subdued the growing optimism among the home crowd, efficiently closing out the first set with four successive games.<\/p>\n

Despite appearing to struggle with the conditions \u2013 the three-time US Open champion crouched down following a couple of points \u2013 Djokovic was able to assert himself in set two.<\/p>\n

The second seed held firm under pressure, further frustrating Fritz by saving four break points for a 3-1 lead.<\/p>\n

Overcoming the physical issues he had faced, Djokovic would not falter and lost just one point in his next three service games.<\/p>\n

The third set was by no means straightforward. But, fuelled by the frustration of seeing Fritz immediately break back for 4-4 and angered by the behaviour of an individual in the crowd, Djokovic responded in typical fashion and broke again.<\/p>\n

To his credit, Fritz pushed his opponent all the way and reached break point, but Djokovic clinched his second match point after two hours and 35 minutes on court.<\/p>\n

The win means Djokovic remains on course for another showdown with top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday\u2019s final, just two months after the 20-year-old edged a thrilling five-set Wimbledon final against the Serb.<\/p>\n

Spaniard Alcaraz meets German Alexander Zverev on Wednesday for a place in the last four.<\/p>\n

Shelton comes out on top in all-American epic<\/h3>\n
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Ben Shelton has reached the semi-finals in just his second US Open main draw appearance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shelton became the youngest man to reach the US Open semi-finals in 31 years after the 20-year-old beat Tiafoe in a thrilling quarter-final.<\/p>\n

Shelton won the eagerly anticipated encounter 6-2 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 with the match swinging in his favour after a topsy-turvy third set that saw six breaks in eight games before Shelton won an epic tie-break.<\/p>\n

Tiafoe was then broken in the first game of the fourth set, allowing Shelton to close out the match and equal Michael Chang\u2019s run to the last four as a 20-year-old in 1992.<\/p>\n

The crowd were on their feet at the end of a pulsating encounter that will give American fans hope Shelton can go to reach the final.<\/p>\n

He is seeking to become the first American men\u2019s singles champion in New York for 20 years, since Andy Roddick\u2019s triumph in 2003.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I left it all out there,\u201d said Shelton. \u201cSometimes you have to shut off the brain and close the eyes and just swing. It ended up working out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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