The US Open quarterfinals begin on Tuesday. There are some great matches this round, headlined by the blockbuster showdown between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.
These are my US Open best bets to target on DraftKings Sportsbook for the match between Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic.
Fritz vs. Djokovic Prediction
The great American hope, Taylor Fritz, and the greatest to ever play the game, Novak Djokovic, will face off under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night. When it comes to men’s tennis, it does not get more blockbuster than this. Taylor Fritz finally had a breakthrough in a Grand Slam last season, making it to the US Open Final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. Fritz has finally found consistency in these big tournaments, making the semifinals at Wimbledon and now another US Open quarterfinal, the third of his career. American tennis fans have waited 22 years to see one of their own win a men’s Grand Slam title, and if Fritz can do it on U.S. soil, he will be immortalized in the history of American tennis.
One man is hoping to derail that opportunity for Taylor Fritz. A man who has been a thorn in Fritz’s side throughout his career. The all-time leader in men’s singles Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic, is in the twilight of his career. There is speculation that he could retire at the end of this season, making this the final Grand Slam he ever plays in if that were the case. Djokovic would love nothing more than to add one more major trophy to his mantlepiece before he sails off into the sunset. Djokovic is a four-time US Open champion and an 11-time US Open finalist. He has made the semifinals in 21 of his past 26 Grand Slam appearances, a run that might not ever be matched again. He has made the semifinals in all three Grand Slams so far this season, but Fritz is looking to stop him from going 4-for-4.
Novak Djokovic has been the immovable object that Taylor Fritz cannot beat throughout his career. It seems that anytime Fritz seems to be breaking through to the next level of his career, Djokovic has humbled him. Djokovic is a remarkable 10-0 against the No. 4 player in the world. They have faced each other three times in majors before, including the 2023 US Open quarterfinals, and all of them have been on hardcourt. Not only has Fritz never beaten Djokovic, he has been thoroughly dominated in their matchups. Out of 24 career sets played between the two of them, Djokovic has won 21 of those. Fritz will have the American fans at his back for this match, and he is playing the best tennis of his life, but he will need to exercise some serious demons to get over the hump and win this match.
Fritz vs. Djokovic Pick
Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic have both looked great so far in this tournament. Through four matches, Djokovic has only dropped two sets, both coming on tiebreakers. Fritz has the exact same record, dropping only two sets so far, both on tiebreakers. Both of these men were also in great form heading into this tournament, both making the Wimbledon semifinals before getting bounced by the two best players in the sport. With so many things being equal, the lopsided head-to-head record is the biggest indicator of how this might go.
Taylor Fritz might be ready to finally conquer the GOAT. This might be the match that cements Fritz as a truly elite player and sends Djokovic off into retirement. However, until I see it happen, I won’t be betting on it. Taylor Fritz has had issues performing in Grand Slams and against top players throughout his career. Novak Djokovic will not be phased by the moment or the American crowd; in fact, he will thrive off being the villain. My best bet is for Djokovic to win by at least two sets. Taylor Fritz is more than capable of taking a set off Djokovic, but the pure dominance that Djokovic has shown in their past battles indicates that this will be settled in four sets or fewer.
