NEW YORK:
Novak Djokovic advanced to a blockbuster US Open showdown with on Tuesday as reigning women's champion Aryna Sabalenka vaulted into the semi-finals without having to lift her racquet.
Djokovic snuffed out Taylor Fritz's hopes of becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since 2003 with a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 quarter-final victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The win sent the 38-year-old Serbian -- chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam victory -- into a mouthwatering semi-final against Spanish second seed Alcaraz on Friday.
clinched victory when fourth seed Fritz double-faulted on match point in the 10th game of the final set and could not hide his relief at finally emerging victorious.
"In this kind of match a few points on either side decide t