Djokovic faces Fritz, Sabalenka and Pegula meet Czech hopefuls at US Open
The U.S. Open quarter-finals kick off on Tuesday when Novak Djokovic takes on last year’s runner-up Taylor Fritz, while the 2024 women’s finalists Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula face tricky tests against two unseeded Czech challengers.
TOP MEN’S MATCH: NOVAK DJOKOVIC V TAYLOR FRITZ
Novak Djokovic looks to continue his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam but must get past last year’s finalist Taylor Fritz, who is aiming to be the first American to win the U.S. Open men’s singles title since 2003.
Djokovic, who overcame injury struggles in earlier rounds and claim a straight-sets victory to reach the last eight, has beaten Fritz in all 10 of their previous matches, although the American put up a fight in their last two encounters.
I think only the last couple of times we’ve played I think I’ve been this just better player that can, you know, I’d say compete and have chances,” Fritz, 27, said about his prospects against the seventh seed.
“Last time we played … I had looks, I had set points in the second set. Like, I really should have probably won the second, taken it to a third set.”
Djokovic, said Fritz, who won two ATP titles and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2025, had improved his movement in recent years, adding a depth to his game that was missing.
“That’s what got him to finals and semi-finals of Grand Slams. He’s knocking on that door,” Djokovic added.
TOP WOMEN’S MATCH: ARYNA SABALENKA V MARKETA VONDROUSOVA
Aryna Sabalenka has reached her 11th straight Grand Slam quarter-final without dropping a set in her title defence.
“I’m enjoying being world number one. I’m enjoying this pressure. I’m working really hard to be where I am … bring my best tennis and just to fight,” Sabalenka said.
The 27-year-old next faces Marketa Vondrousova, who has gone toe-to-toe with the Belarusian nine times in the last eight years, with Sabalenka winning five of those matches
