Novak Djokovic defeated Taylor Fritz en route to the Shanghai Masters final. Two rivals battled for the tenth time, and the Serb extended his perfect streak against the American, ousting him for the tenth time from as many duels. Thus, Djokovic added Fritz to the list of his favorite opponents against whom he battled at least ten times and never experienced a loss. Interestingly, they locked horns only at notable events, never playing below a Masters 1000 level.
ADVERTISEMENT
Djokovic's most dominant H2Hs
Novak is 67-0 against the selected group of players who have never managed to crack the code and beat the most decorated player of all time! The Serb leads Gael Monfils 19-0, forging one of the most one-sided rivalries in the Open era. Another Frenchman, Jeremy Chardy, failed to topple the 24-time Major winner in 14 encounters. Novak is 12-0 against Andreas Seppi and Milos Raonic, experiencing a couple of tight duels against the Canadian but always emerging at the top first. Taylor Fritz joined the selected list a couple of weeks ago, taking only three sets in ten matches against the mighty opponent. The American challenged the Serb two times at the Australian Open, taking those three sets in Melbourne but failing to bring the win home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Novak vs. Taylor - Their early encounters
Djokovic and Fritz started their rivalry in Monte Carlo 2019, with the Serb earning a 6-3, 6-0 win in 68 minutes. Novak forged an early lead and bageled the opponent in the second set, sealing the deal in no time. A few weeks later, they battled in Madrid, with the young gun fighting harder than in the first duel. Still, Djokovic earned a 6-4, 6-2 win in 65 minutes, serving well and stealing the rival's serve three times. Their most exciting duel came at the 2021 Australian Open. Novak injured a torn muscle in the right side of his abdomen, requiring medical timeouts and struggling in sets three and four. Fritz looked good to topple the legend before Djokovic recovered his game in the decider and prevailed 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 in three and a half hours.
Novak extends his dominance
They battled in Rome four months later, and the Serb delivered a 6-3, 7-6 win. The American fought well in the second set, overcoming a 5-3 deficit before falling in a tight tie break, finding himself 0-4 against the world's best player. Novak lost serve three times against Taylor in Paris at the end of 2021 but erased that deficit in a 6-4, 6-3 victory, going five from five. They had to wait over a year to embrace their sixth encounter, fighting at the 2022 ATP Finals. Fritz pushed Djokovic to the limits, with both players claiming two breaks and staying neck and neck. The Serb prevailed 7-6, 7-6, overcoming a 5-3 deficit in the second set and clinching the tie break 8-6 to seal the deal and celebrate a tight victory.
Fritz fights, but Djokovic remains perfect
The seventh encounter came in the summer of 2023 in Cincinnati. Novak ousted Taylor 6-0, 6-4 in 61 minutes, making a furious start and rattling off nine of the opening ten games. The American fought back and locked the result at 4-4. The Serb stayed focused and grabbed a late break to seal the deal in straight sets. A few weeks later, they welcomed their first US Open clash. Djokovic toppled the home favorite 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 after an entertaining battle, fending off ten of 12 break points and delivering six breaks that carried him over the top. The current season saw two more duels between these opponents, with the veteran extending his perfect streak. They pushed each other to the limits at the Australian Open before Novak prevailed 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 after three hours and 45 minutes. Djokovic and Fritz traded the opening two sets after nearly two and a half hours, competing under a boiling sun and losing energy. The conditions improved in the third set and the Serb took charge, leaving his rival behind and moving over the top in four sets. Novak got broken two times and turned 40% of the return points into four breaks from 21 chances, squandering all 15 in the opening two sets before finding the winning formula.
Their tenth duel came nine months later in Shanghai. Djokovic ousted Fritz 6-4, 7-6 in an hour and 59 minutes after a tight battle. The veteran landed in 70% of the first serve and saved two break points, mounting the pressure on the other side. Taylor fought well and saved eight of nine break points, missing his opportunities in the eighth game of the second set and failing to convert a set point in the tie break. Novak injured his left leg in the fifth game of the second set, requiring a medical timeout in the latter stages. He endured all the efforts and sealed the deal in the breaker, delivering his tenth victory over Taylor from as many duels.
