Novak Djokovic takes on home favourite Taylor Fritz next in the US Open after storming past Jan-Lennard Struff in round four.
Struff praised Djokovic before their match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, in which the Serbian beat the German 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
Djokovic now turns his focus to Fritz, having already knocked out American players Learner Tien and Zachary Svajda.
Legendary figure Djokovic still thinks he can reach the highest level, but ATP number four and 2024 US Open finalist Fritz now awaits, playing on home soil.
The head-to-head record between the pair is, however, very much in favour of the Serbian, who has won all 10 of their previous matches.
Novak Djokovic makes Taylor Fritz prediction for their US Open quarterfinal
That record was referenced ahead of their next meeting, with Djokovic asked what it’s like to play someone who he has such a good history against.
He replied: “Well, that was the case with [Cam] Norrie actually in the last round. He was playing more aggressively than he has ever played against me to be honest, and so that’s something I expect.
“I expect players that have never won against me to come out on the court and try something different and try to make me feel uncomfortable and play more aggressive.
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“But I don’t think there’s going to be any major changes with Taylor because you stick to the kind of a game plan that got you to the quarters and what your strengths are.
“So you stick to those weapons in your game, which for him is obviously serve and forehand. Two big weapons in his game.
“I think over the years he has improved with his movement a lot. His backhand is also very solid, very flat, and for a big guy he moves really well.
“I think he’s quite underestimated how well he’s moving particularly over the last couple of years which was something that was probably missing in his game from before and that’s what has got him to finals and several semifinals of Grand Slams.
“He’s knocking on that door. We played in quarters before here some years ago. It was a day match I remember, but now it’s going to be night match.
“I mean that’s what I hear, it’s going to be a night match, I don’t know but let’s see. I’d like to play night, that would be great, because I’ve been playing really well at night.
“Whatever it is in the end I know what I have to do and how to execute my game plan. Obviously that’s something that is unpredictable on the court. A lot of things can change and can affect the way you feel, the way you play.
“But what gives me a lot of encouragement and positivity right now is the way I played tonight. The best performance of the tournament so far. So hopefully I can keep that going.”
Novak Djokovic says if he thinks Taylor Fritz can win a Grand Slam
Djokovic battled past Norrie in round three in New York, having entered their match with a 6-0 win-loss record against the Briton.
But he will be taking nothing for granted against Fritz, who should have the fans on his side despite Djokovic’s status.
The 38-year-old is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title this month, with the 27-year-old American eyeing his first.
Comparing how different those feelings are, Djokovic said: “Quite different. Obviously when you’re going for your first Slam there is so much energy put into that anticipation to accomplish that great goal, which is the dream of so many players.
“99% of the young players starting their careers always dream of winning one of the slams and for Taylor, as an American, I would assume that probably would be US Open.
“For me, it was back in 2008 when I won my first Slam and I felt a huge relief to be honest because I was lucky to do it quite early in my career.
“But, you can see a guy like [Alexander] Zverev, for example, has been in multiple Slam finals and he’s been building so much pressure on himself and everyone around him, to win because everyone knows that he’s got all the goods to be a Grand Slam winner, but he still didn’t make it. The longer it goes, the worse it becomes, the more weight on your shoulders you feel.
“Taylor definitely is one of the guys that no doubt has a game and has a potential to be a Grand Slam winner and he was playing finals here last year so he was one match away.
“There’s no reason for him not to believe that he can make it. Hopefully not this year, but any other year is fine.”
Djokovic has won four of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the US Open, triumphing at the hard-court Grand Slam in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
Fritz, in contrast, has reached just one Grand Slam final in his career, losing in straight sets in New York to Jannik Sinner last year.
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