Djokovic eases past Fritz to join Alcaraz in Cincinnati semi-finals

(FILES) Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions from the media during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 13, 2023 in Mason, Ohio. – Novak Djokovic is back at a tournament in the United States for the first time in two years and is preparing to make the most of his new opportunity at the ATP/WTA Cincinnati Open. (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

Novak Djokovic crushed Taylor Fritz while Carlos Alcaraz had to push hard to get past Max Purcell Friday as the top two seeds reached the semi-finals at the ATP/WTA Cincinnati Open.

Tournament number two Djokovic showed no mercy against Fritz, hammering the top American 6-0, 6-4 to improve to 7-0 against him.

World number one Alcaraz rallied to hold off Australian qualifier Purcell 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

After pocketing the opening set against Fritz in a mere 21 minutes, two-time tournament winner Djokovic was broken to start the second set as a backhand landed long.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion regained the break in the eighth game when Fritz drove a forehand into the net. Djokovic broke again two games later, securing the match on his first match point after just 62 minutes.

“I managed to get out of the blocks with a flawless start,” the Serb star said. “I started the second set poorly, handing him the break.

“But from 2-4 down I played four solid games, overall it was a great performance. I’ve played three good matches here so far, every day I raise the bar a bit higher.

“I’m feeling better on court. I hope the same trajectory can continue,” added Djokovic, who next faces German Alexander Zverev.

Zverev, the 2021 Cincy champion, beat France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 6-3 to reach his first Masters semi-final since Rome last year