Novak Djokovic to miss semi finals against Jannik sinner Due to injury
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic sets up Jannik Sinner semi-final after beating Taylor Fritz in gruelling four-setter
Novak Djokovic beat Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 as he seeks a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and 11th triumph in Melbourne; Djokovic will face fourth seed Jannik Sinner in the last four after he overcame Andrey Rublev 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the early hours of Wednesday morning
All hope is lost for a 25th record Grand Slam for the world number one, who recently discovered the discomfort in his lower back.
Top seed Novak Djokovic came through a gruelling four-set contest with American Taylor Fritz to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he’ll face Italian Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, who is seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and 11th at Melbourne Park, wore Fritz down to win 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 in three hours and 45 minutes.
Given the length of Djokovic and Fritz’s match, along with a three-set win for Coco Gauff earlier in the day, it was not until gone 10.40pm that Sinner and Andrey Rublev hit their first balls on Rod Laver Arena in a delayed night session.
Despite trailing 5-1 in the second-set tiebreak and being seemingly troubled by an abdominal muscle at one stage, Sinner came through to clinch a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victory soon after 1.20am local time.However, the American – playing in his first Australian Open quarter-final – was unable to sustain what had been a hugely impressive level, and Djokovic broke twice in each of the final two sets to close out the match.Top seed Novak Djokovic came through a gruelling four-set contest with American Taylor Fritz to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he’ll face Italian Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, who is seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and 11th at Melbourne Park, wore Fritz down to win 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 in three hours and 45 minutes.
Given the length of Djokovic and Fritz’s match, along with a three-set win for Coco Gauff earlier in the day, it was not until gone 10.40pm that Sinner and Andrey Rublev hit their first balls on Rod Laver Arena in a delayed night session.
Despite trailing 5-1 in the second-set tiebreak and being seemingly troubled by an abdominal muscle at one stage, Sinner came through to clinch a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victory soon after 1.20am local time.”I suffered a lot in the first couple of sets, due to his high-quality tennis,” Djokovic said.He was serving well, he was staying close to the line and he was kind of suffocating me from the back of the court. Most of the rallies were on my back foot and it was really difficult to find the right timing.
“It was really hot while the sun was still out there. Physically very draining, emotionally as well.”
Djokovic vs Fritz: Match stats
Djokovic Match Stats Fritz
20 Aces 16
3 Double Faults 2
82% 1st serve win percentage 66%
58% 2nd serve win percentage 48%
13/20 Net points won 19/29
4/21 Break points won 2/6
52 Total winners 63
26 Unforced errors 39
148 Total points won 121
The 36-year-old has now won 33 successive matches at the Australian Open, with his last defeat at the tournament having come in 2018. Djokovic was unable to defend his title in 2022 due to his coronavirus vaccination status.
Djokovic’s appearance in the semi-finals will be his 48th at a Grand Slam, extending a record he took sole ownership of on his way to winning the US Open in September.
