(Spors Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
US Open: Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Pegula Advance to Semi-Finals
Novak Djokovic booked a blockbuster US Open semi-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz after defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in a gripping quarter-final on Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, clinched victory when Fritz double-faulted on match point in the final set. “It was an incredibly close match. It was really anybody’s match,” Djokovic said, praising his opponent’s performance. Fritz converted just two of 13 break points during the three-hour, 24-minute battle.
Djokovic will face Spanish second seed Alcaraz, who has not dropped a set en route to the semi-finals. The 22-year-old Spaniard dismantled Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in under two hours, maintaining his blistering form with 35 wins in his last 36 matches. “I’m feeling great and hungry to make it,” Alcaraz said.
Women’s Semi-Finals: Sabalenka Walks Through
In the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals via walkover after Czech Marketa Vondrousova withdrew with a knee injury. Sabalenka, aiming to become the first woman to defend the US Open since Serena Williams in 2014, expressed sympathy for Vondrousova.
Sabalenka will face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who earlier defeated unseeded Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3. Pegula, coming off a series of early-round exits in recent tournaments, said she is ready to avenge last year’s US Open final loss to Sabalenka. “It would be cool to be able to get revenge,” she said.
