Australian Open 2024: Fritz downs Tsitsipas to set up Djokovic clash

Fritz trails Djokovic 8-0 in head-to-heads, but he said he had improved and was relishing another battle against the top seed.

Taylor Fritz of the U.S. celebrates after winning his fourth round match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy | Photo Credit: Reuters

American 12th seed Taylor Fritz dumped last year’s Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas out of the tournament on Sunday to set up a quarter-final with defending champion Novak Djokovic.

There was little to separate them in the opening two sets but Fritz stepped up a gear to beat the Greek seventh seed 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in a shade over three hours.

He said the key was “just trusting my shots” and that he had served well throughout.

Fritz trails Djokovic 8-0 in head-to-heads, but he said he had improved and was relishing another battle against the top seed.

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“The times I have played him I haven’t brought my best level and you need to if you are going to complete with someone like Djokovic,” he said.

A tight first set, in which neither player broke serve, went to a tie-break, where Fritz quickly edged ahead and did not relinquish his lead.

The second set went with serve until the 11th game, when Tsitsipas broke, going on to take the set 7-5.

Fritz broke twice in the third set to edge ahead and repeated the feat in the fourth set, winning the last four games to claim victory.