Novak Djokovic makes Grand Slam history with US Open quarter-final run

NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic made Grand Slam history at the age of 38 on Aug 31 with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, but the triumph came at a cost – his quarter-final falls on Sept 2, when his daughter Tara turns eight.

“Yeah, she was not very happy about it, me being absent from the birthday party. Don’t remind me of that, please,” said Djokovic, who became the oldest man to reach all four Grand Slam quarter-finals in a single season.

The victory also moved Djokovic into his 64th Grand Slam quarter-final, extending his all-time record, while keeping alive his pursuit of a record 25th Major title.

The win sealed a date with the sole American hope left in the men’s draw, Taylor Fritz, and the Serb was feeling positive ahead of that clash. Fritz earned his spot with a business-like 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 dismissal of Czech Tomas Machac.

“What gives me a lot of encouragement right now and positivity is the way I played tonight,” said Djokovic.

“Best performance of the tournament so far. Hopefully I can keep that going.”

But the Serb’s mind was clearly on family matters as he spoke about the sacrifice required at this stage of his career.

“I’ll try to win if I’m here. At least I’m going to try to win and give her that kind of present,” Djokovic said. “I’m going to send some nice presents, as well, nice surprises for her birthday party.”

The match itself was a masterclass in experience over power during the 109-minute encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic dominated from the opening game, breaking the 35-year-old German’s serve six times. His own serve proved decisive against a player who entered the match with the tournament’s second-highest ace count at 66.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion fired 12 aces while winning 79 per cent of first-serve points and completely neutralised Struff’s biggest weapon.

Struff, ranked 144th in the world, had defeated two seeded players – Holger Rune (11th) and Frances Tiafoe (17th) – to reach his first US Open fourth round, but was unable to put any serious pressure on the seventh seed.

The German managed only 19 winners and committed 32 unforced errors.

Their combined age of 73 years and 60 days made this the oldest US Open men’s singles match in the fourth round or later during the professional era.

For Fritz, the weight of American expectations brings both pressure and opportunity as he prepares to face Djokovic, drawing confidence from their recent battles despite the intimidating head-to-head deficit (0-10).

“I’m not thinking about all the losses I had to Novak five years ago,” Fritz said. “I was nowhere near the level of player that I am now. In those tight moments, you have to go out and take it from them.”

The winner of that tie could meet Spanish world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

The five-time Grand Slam champion overpowered France’s Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-4 and has not dropped a set at the championships.

“I think my style of tennis suits pretty well the energy here in New York,” the 22-year-old said.

“The energy is special playing the day session, playing the night session. It doesn’t matter, people are always there. I love it and I think that’s why I play my best tennis here.”

Alcaraz will face Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals on Sept 2.

Lehecka reached the last eight of a Grand Slam for only the second time after battling past veteran Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev and his coach Gilles Cervara have announced the end of their eight-year collaboration, days after the former world No. 1’s stunning first-round exit.

Medvedev lost 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 0-6, 6-4 to Benjamin Bonzi in a chaotic clash where the 29-year-old launched a tirade against the chair umpire over a controversial call, whipped up a jeering crowd that prevented his opponent from serving and smashed his racket after the match.

Cervara, named ATP Coach of the Year in 2019, helped Medvedev secure 20 titles, including the 2021 US Open and the 2020 ATP Finals. REUTERS, AFP