Daughter's Big Day On Djokovic's Mind

She's unhappy he'll miss it for q-final against Fritz, but he plans 'nice surprises'

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NEW YORK - Novak Djokovic made Grand Slam history at the age of 38 on Aug 31 with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, but the triumph came at a cost - his quarter-final falls on Sept 2, when his daughter Tara turns eight.

"Yeah, she was not very happy about it, me being absent from the birthday party. Don't remind me of that, please," said Djokovic, who became the oldest man to reach all four Grand Slam quarter-finals in a single season.

The victory also moved Djokovic into his 64th Grand Slam quarter-final, extending his all-time record, while keeping alive his pursuit of a record 25th Major title.

The win sealed a date with the sole American hope left in the men's draw, Taylor Fritz, and the Serb was feeling positive ahead of that clash. Fritz earned his spot with a business-like 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 dismissal of Czech Tomas Machac.

"What gives me a lot of encouragement right now and positivity is the way I played tonight," said Djokovic.

"Best performance of the tournament so far. Hopefully I can keep that going."

But the Serb's mind was clearly on family matters as the father of two spoke about the sacrifice required at this stage of his career.