Djokovic had only lost three games in his previous match against Adrian Mannarino, and the world number one immediately set about testing the Fritz serve in an incredible opening game that lasted more than 16 minutes.
Fritz survived three break points and nine deuces to hold, with his coach Michael Russell encouraging him to "keep it up," but the advice served as a warning of what was to come, as he was forced to save three more break points from 0-40 in the next game At 4-4, the American saved two more points before getting his first look at his opponent's serve with an arrowing forehand that found the line for 15-40. He suddenly found himself with two set points.
However, Djokovic has built his career on winning the big points, and he quickly dismissed the danger. A crying baby in the stands halted his charge at game point, but it only delayed him from booking his tie-break ticket. The 10-time champion took the first four points as he began to energize the crowd. After moving ahead 6-1, he began theatrically pointing to his ear and demanding even more noise, to which the crowd responded. Three points later, Djokovic had secured the first set.
So it was perhaps surprising to see Djokovic emerge for the second set looking so shaky. Fritz claimed the match's first break thanks to two double faults and an animated shouting match with his box.
Djokovic quickly settled in and demonstrated his exceptional defensive abilities, carving out seven break-back points throughout the set - but Fritz saved them all.
Even the Serbian's remarkable serve and volley from the baseline couldn't stop Fritz's charge, with the 12th seed serving out the set to love to tie the match and hint at the most unlikely of victories.
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Have you seen that before?!' - Djokovic makes an incredible reflex shot against Fritz. However, after two hours and 39 minutes - and 15 break points - Djokovic finally cracked his opponent's serve at the start of the third set, as Fritz showed signs of fatigue. Fritz failed to land a single ace as the set slipped away, with Djokovic grabbing a second break to reclaim the lead as a spot in the final four beckoned.
Djokovic smelt blood and immediately went on the offensive in the fourth set, generating two more break points before breaking through again to lead 4-2. Fritz refused to go quietly and earned three break-back points, returning to serve when a forehand clipped the net and landed dead on Djokovic's side of the court, but the top seed shrugged it off to deliver his third straight break, this time to love.
Fritz's resistance was over, and Djokovic easily served his way into his 48th Grand Slam semi-final.
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