Published January 23,2024
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Novak Djokovic fought off a robust problem from Taylor Fritz on Tuesday to achieve the Australian Open semi-finals for the eleventh time.
On Friday he’ll tackle fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who defeated Andrey Rublev 6-4 7-6 (5) 6-3 in a match that completed at 1:22 am (1422 GMT).
The Italian ended final season on a scorching streak and has maintained that, reaching the semi-finals with out dropping a set.
Russian Rublev is the primary male participant within the open period to lose his first 10 slam quarter-finals.
Meanwhile world primary Djokovic has by no means misplaced in Melbourne as soon as he has made it past the final eight, and there’s no doubt how a lot he desires a record-extending twenty fifth grand slam title.
Djokovic had crushed American Fritz in all eight of their earlier conferences however this was definitely not simple, with the highest seed lastly securing a 7-6 (3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory after three hours and 45 minutes.
The Serbian has gained a file 10 Australian Open titles in Melbourne.
The first recreation alone lasted 16 minutes and the primary set 84 minutes as they toiled within the warmth on Rod Laver Arena.
Fritz, trying to attain a slam semi-final for the primary time on the third try, remarkably saved all 15 break factors he confronted within the opening two units, and he impressively levelled the competition.
It was simply the third set he had gained in opposition to the Serbian, with the opposite two each coming in a third-round conflict right here in 2021, when Djokovic suffered an stomach harm however nonetheless managed to win in 5.
But Djokovic started to show the screw within the third set as Fritz began to really feel his left foot, and successive breaks within the fourth set him on the best way to a record-extending forty eighth slam semi-final.
Speaking to Nick Kyrgios on court docket, Djokovic stated: “I suffered a lot in the first couple of sets. Also due to his high quality tennis. He was really kind of suffocating me from the back of the court.
“It was actually tough to search out the suitable timing, it was actually scorching whereas the solar was nonetheless out. We all know Taylor has bought probably the greatest serves on the earth. I knew the type of a risk he poses when he serves on such a top quality.
“Conversion of the break points was really poor but I managed to break him when it mattered. I think I upped my game midway through the third set all the way through to the end.”
On Wednesday, Carlos Alcaraz faces Alexander Zverev in a mouth-watering quarter-final whereas Hubert Hurkacz of Poland performs Daniil Medvedev.
Source: www.anews.com.tr