- Serb continues bid for 24th Grand Slam
- Qualifier’s superb run ended
- In form Fritz to face Djokovic
Novak Djokovic eased into the last eight of the US Open with a straight sets victory to end Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo’s surprise run. He will face ninth seed Taylor Fritz, the American being one of three home players to reach the quarter-finals.
Djokovic chases Slam number 24
The Serb, 36, continued his bid for a 24th major title with a 6-2 7-5 6-4 win in New York. Djokovic holds the record for Men’s singles Grand Slam titles and a win at Flushing Meadows would not only extend that record, but would see him draw level with Margaret Court, who has won 24 Women’s Singles Grand Slam titles, for the sport as a whole.
Home success continues
Djokovic, the second seed, will play Fritz, who is one of three American men in the quarter-finals. The last time the US Open saw three Americans reach this stage of the Men’s Singles was 2005.
Fritz, 25, won 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-4 against Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker, joining Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in going through on Sunday.
Tiafoe, 25, beat Australia’s Rinky Hijikata 6-4 6-1 6-4 to set up a last-eight meeting with 20-year-old Shelton, guaranteeing at least one home player in the semi-finals. Shelton beat 14th seed Tommy Paul 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4.
Betting Implications
Djokovic remains the bookie’s favourite after this win. His previous match was a punishing five-set affair, however, a straight sets win here increases his chances as the tournament moves into a second week. At the time of writing bet365 have Djokovic at 5/6, ahead of Carlos Alcaraz (6/4) and Daniil Medvedev (10/1).
