Djokovic rolls out as usual

Novak Djokovic reacted to a point he earned in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open over Russia’s Andrey Rublev on Wednesday in Melbourne. David Grey/AFP

When you see Djokovic play like this, you can’t help but feel a little compassion for whoever is in front of him. We even wonder what would have happened to him if the Serb had not physically eased the discomfort in his right thigh.

On Wednesday, Australian night, Andrey Rublev, world No. 6, had a painful experience. If only one place separates them in the ATP ranking (the Serb points to the 5th place), then it is clear that they are still separated by more than one class. Eloquent evidence of this was the furious look of a 25-year-old Russian when crossing to the other side.

Seemingly close to giving up with an injury late last week, Nola is clearly managing to ignore the pain as he just picked up two crushing wins against two serious underdogs. Two days after winning in the local arena, Australian Alex De Minaur (6-2, 6-1, 6-2), winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, did it again, demonstrating an impressive level of play.

ten out of ten

Since his first title in Melbourne in 2008, Djokovic has always won the tournament when he managed to reach the semi-finals. Which he did for the tenth time, beating Andrei Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

“I’m very happy with my tennis,” the 35-year-old Serbian assured as he raced for his 22nd major title in Melbourne to equal Rafael Nadal’s record. A performance that would also see him reclaim the world number 1 spot currently held by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who is out of the Australian Major due to injury.

With little success, he completely stifled the game of the Russian slugger and was decisive in key moments. “In all the important moments, in all the important moments, I was able to find my best tennis,” he said.

However, his left thigh, still heavily bandaged, visibly bothered him for two sets. To the point that I saw him showing a certain nervousness.

unexpected guest

The Serb reiterated that he cannot train on rest days because he is “hooked up to machines more than anything, even (his) bed” to keep fit for the game.

“It worked, I’m still here,” he said, adding later that his two wins over Dimitrov, De Minor and Rublev in three very convincing sets were a “message” to his opponents.

Next will be American Tommy Paul (35th), who dominated his even more unexpected compatriot Ben Shelton (89th) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

At 25 years old, he never made the playoffs of the Major (Wimbledon 2022). “It’s my first time on this court, my first time in the quarter-finals, so it’s been a great trip for me too,” Paul said, referring to his opponent who never left. USA before.

In the second semi-final, the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (4th place) will fight with the Russian Karen Khachanov (20th place).

Sobolenko and Lynette, very first time

The last four will include an unexpected polka: Magda Lynette will play her first Grand Slam semi-final with the Belarusian Arina Sabolenko, for whom he will be the fourth.

Lynette (45th), who beat one of the favorites Caroline Garcia (4th) in the 1/8 finals, dismissed Czech Karolina Pliskova (31st) with a score of 6-3, 7-5 in the quarter-finals.

“I find it hard to believe, but it continues,” said compatriot Igi Swiatek, who has never made it past the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.

The emotions are all the stronger because two years ago she had to withdraw from the tournament at the very last moment due to a knee injury, and her return to the track was difficult.

“I had to make difficult decisions, but now I am reaping the rewards,” the footballer, who will celebrate her 30th birthday on February 21, greeted, emphasizing, in particular, that she has learned to be “calmer”.

“I believed for a long time that what defined me was defeat. So I thank my coach and my entourage for saving me from this nonsense, ”she said.

To go even further, she will have to fire Belarusian Arina Sobolenko (5th). After three consecutive playoffs in Melbourne, the latter has finally overcome the hurdle and appears unstoppable: she dismissed Croatian Donna Vekic (64th) 6-3, 6-2 in one hour in the quarter.

“It is always difficult to play against her (Vekic, ed.). But I expected her to play the way she played, so I was ready,” commented the 24-year-old player.

Since the beginning of the year, she has still not lost a set with the title in Adelaide 1.

Sobolenko has already played in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam tournaments three times (Wimbledon 2021, US Open 2021 and 2022), never reaching the final.

The two semi-finals of the Australian Open Women’s Tennis will take place on Thursday at 19:30 (GMT+11). In the other semi-final, the winner of the last Wimbledon, Kazakh Elena Rybakina (25th place), will compete with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (24th place), two-time champion of Melbourne (2012, 2013). So the final between two players from Belarus is possible. No flags.

UK with AFP

Source: L Orient Le Jour

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