“My absolute best tennis,” Before facing Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, Taylor Fritz beams with ‘confidence’ as he seals his fate at the Australian Open

Taylor Fritz riding high on confidence after battling Stefanos Tsitsipas to set up Novak Djokovic clash in the Australian Open 2024.

“My absolute best tennis,” Before facing Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, Taylor Fritz beams with ‘confidence’ as he seals his fate at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz (Credits: CNN, Sportstar Hindu)

Taylor Fritz put out a masterclass against Stefanos Tsitsipas to make the quarter-finals at the 2024 Australian Open. Tsitsipas, runner-up at last year’s event was in good touch this year too.

Fritz however ensured he remained in control throughout their 3 hour and 1 minute clash on the John Cain Arena. The 12th-seeded American won the match 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

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The result helps him reach the last 8 at Melbourne Park for the first time in his career. It was a disciplined performance by Fritz who came out on top.

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Fritz made fewer double faults (2-7) and unforced errors (19-33) to win the match with 135 points to his name. The Greek managed only 114 points and his indiscipline cost him.

During the on-court interview, the World No. 12 expressed his delight on his level today. Fritz was particularly happy about his service game and the numbers backed him for it. He hit 13 aces with a 70% first serves going in. He won 86% of points on his first serve and 53% on his second serve. All of the numbers were better than Stef. 

Just really trusted my shots. I think I served well the whole match and it kept me in some games where he was in and I was able to get out with my serve. At the very end when I needed it, I felt like I turned up the level and started playing my absolute best tennis to finish it.
Said Fritz while speaking about his performance against Tsitsipas.

Taylor Fritz has won a set against Novak Djokovic only once in their 8 clashes so far

It will be a happy occasion for the Taylor Fritz camp for making it to back-to-back quarter-finals at Grand Slams. But the happiness could be short-lived as he now takes on defending champ Novak Djokovic for a place in the semis.

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Novak Djokovic (Left) and Taylor Fritz (Right) (Credits: The Independent and Lob and Smash)

The 24-time Major winner thrashed Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 to reach his 58th career quarter-final at the Grand Slams. He has now tied Roger Federer for the feat with the next best being Rafael Nadal with 47 to his name.

Fritz and Djokovic have clashed on 8 occasions so far with the American winning a set only once against Nole. It was the third round of the 2021 Australian Open when the American forced a five-setter clash after being 0-2 down.

But since then, the World No. 1 has yet to concede a set against Fritz. Commenting on his quarter-final clash against the 10-time Australian Open winner, the former World No. 5 said, 

A lot of these matches were when I was a bit younger. Since then, I have improved, and become a better player. The times I have played him since I haven't really brought out my best level and you need to if you are going to compete with someone like Novak. Going to have to serve like I did today but I feel confident. If I may play like I did today, then I might have a chance.
added Fritz.

The last meeting between the two players took place in the controversial quarter-finals of the 2023 US Open. Despite the local boy being the crowd favorite, the Serb completed a routine straight-set win on his way to winning the Major in Flushing Meadows.

Fritz would fancy his chances to revenge his defeat and open his account against Djokovic in one of his favorite courts in the world. But as everyone knows, defeating Djokovic on the Rod Laver Arena is no easy task.

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