Australian Open: Djokovic Beats Rublev, Reaches Semi-Finals
Men’s tennis world number four Novak Djokovic recorded a 6-1 6-2 6-4 straight sets defeat of fifth seed Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open on Wednesday, reaching the semi-finals of the competition as he seeks to capture his 22nd Grand Slam title of his career.
Djokovic targeted Rublev’s forehand and second serve with venomous returns in windy conditions at the Rod Laver Arena and went ahead 3-1 in the first set after the Russian fifth seed double-faulted on breakpoint and the Serbian pulled away from there to take the first set.
After taking the lead in the match with a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner, Djokovic showed how hard he is to beat on the grandest stage despite a strapped thigh due to a hamstring issue after the Serbian broke in the fifth game of the second set.
Djokovic played exquisitely to save a breakpoint in the next game and let out a huge roar before going on to double his advantage in the contest, after a frustrated Rublev unloaded on his coach in the stands following another double fault.
Djokovic pounced early in the next set with Rublev having no answers against the Serbian, as the former world number one closed out a convincing win on serve to set up a last-four meeting with American Tommy Paul.
It marked the 44th time that Djokovic reached the last four at the Grand Slams, leaving him six ahead of Rafael Nadal and only two behind his other great rival and 20-time major champion Roger Federer.
Making the hard courts look easy 💪@DjokerNole is into his 10th #AusOpen semifinal!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/bLy6VAxKZG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2023
“I can’t be happier with my tennis, I was solid from the back of the court. I love these conditions, this court, it’s definitely special for me,” Djokovic said.
“The scoreline in the opening two sets does not show the reality. Andrey’s a great opponent, he has one of the biggest forehands. I knew the gameplan, but it’s one thing to imagine and another to execute.”
“Obviously he (Paul) doesn’t have much to lose being in the semi-finals for the first time. He has been playing terrific tennis in the last 15 months,” Djokovic added.
Melbourne masterclass 👏@DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/aWwNBVw3FB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2023
