NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic took a two-set lead against Taylor Fritz , an opponent he always beats, to close in on the semifinals, a round he often reaches at the U.S. Open , and marked the occasion by blowing kisses to those in Tuesday night's crowd pulling for the last American man in the field.

That was just a taste of the back-and-forth between Djokovic and some of the folks in the Arthur Ashe Stadium seats, and there was still work that remained, but he would finish off a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory. Djokovic improved to 11-0 against 2024 runner-up Fritz and reached a record-extending 53rd Grand Slam semifinal, a total that includes a record-tying 14 at Flushing Meadows.

“In the end of the day, a win matters. I'm really proud of the fight that I put in. I wear my heart on

See Full Page