Novak Djokovic quells fightback to set up Carlos Alcaraz clash in semi-final

Novak Djokovic set up a semi-final blockbuster against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open as he kept his dreams of a 25th grand slam title alive.

Djokovic overcame Taylor Fritz and a rowdy New York crowd, quelling the American’s fightback to end hopes of a home men’s champion for another year.

Fritz had hoped to finally secure a first victory over Djokovic at the 11th time of asking but the majority of the big moments went the way of the Serbian, who triumphed 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 after three hours and 24 minutes.

Djokovic was bothered on numerous occasions by noise from the crowd while he was serving, putting his finger to his lips and blowing ironic kisses after winning the second set.

In the third he remonstrated with umpire Damien Dumusois and Fritz threatened to take the contest to a fifth set, but ultimately Djokovic had the answers.

“It was an incredibly close match, really anybody’s match,” he said. “I thought I was lucky to save some crucial break points in the second and third sets. In these matches a few points decide the win.

“Tough for Taylor to finish on a double fault, he didn’t deserve that. In many of my service games I was just trying to stay alive. I’m really proud of the fight that I put in. I wear my heart on my sleeve always.”

Now Djokovic must try to make it beyond the last four for the first time at a grand slam this year in what will be his 53rd grand slam semi-final.

With victory over Fritz, the 38-year-old tied Jimmy Connors’s record by reaching a 14th semi-final here, also becoming the oldest man through to this stage since the American in 1991.

Djokovic, who had wanted a win as an eighth birthday present for his daughter Tara back home, has played himself into form through the tournament after a shaky