Novak Djokovic doesn’t seem happy, but his quarter-final victory and the next record at the Australian Open are never in danger. For women, Aryna Sabalenka and Magda Linette progress.
He discussed with his coach, quarreled with the wind and complained to the referee – but even a not always satisfied Novak Djokovic was far too strong for the opponent.
The Serbian tennis star set another milestone in his successful career by reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open with an unchallenged 6:1, 6:2, 6:4 victory over the Russian Andrei Rubljov, leaving a lot of emotions on the court. “The volcano is blazing,” said Eurosport expert Boris Becker about his ex-protégé.
Djokovic also showed feelings after the match – but this time positive. For his mother, who was sitting in the stands and celebrating her birthday the day before, the 35-year-old serenaded the crowd at Rod Laver Arena with a “Happy Birthday” and formed a heart with his hands. He also greeted his long-time rival Roger Federer and thanked his physiotherapist, with whom he had “gone through hell” over his hamstring problems.
Drawn level with Agassi
Djokovic celebrated his 26th consecutive victory at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne and drew level with record holder Andre Agassi from the USA. In his 44th Grand Slam semi-final, the dominator is the clear favorite against Tommy Paul on Friday. The world number 35. had previously beaten compatriot Ben Shelton 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 3, 5: 7, 6: 4 and was the first American in 14 years to make it into the top four in Melbourne. “Everyone dreams of starting tennis. I can’t believe I made it,” said Paul.
The chances that Paul will win another Grand Slam title for the US men 20 years after Andy Roddick are slim. Djokovic has won all of his nine semi-finals in Melbourne so far and also showed his extra class against Rublev. “When things got tight, I found my best tennis, that makes me the happiest,” said Djokovic.
Unlike the round of 16 victory two days earlier against the Australian Alex de Minaur, the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner was not always satisfied. “He seems a bit more nervous and upbeat, not quite as calm and collected as in the last match,” said Becker. Rublev, who also failed in his seventh Grand Slam quarterfinal, was unable to capitalize on it.
Linette continues running
Magda Linette and Aryna Sabalenka previously reached the women’s semi-finals. First, the Polish Linette continued her run of success with a 6:3, 7:5 against the disappointing Czech Karolina Pliskova and celebrated the biggest Grand Slam success of her career. “A dream comes true, I’m just happy,” said the 30-year-old afterwards: “I will never forget that, it will last a lifetime.”
In the fight for the final ticket, Linette meets Sabalenka on Thursday. The Belarusian defeated the Croatian Donna Vekic 6: 3, 6: 2 and did not lose a set in her ninth match of the year. In the second semi-final, Kazakh Wimbledon winner Jelena Rybakina and two-time Australian Open winner Viktoria Azarenka from Belarus will face off.
For doubles player Andreas Mies, however, the first Grand Slam tournament with his new partner John Peers is over. The two-time French Open winner lost in the quarterfinals alongside the Australian against Marcel Granollers (Spain) and Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) 4: 6, 7: 6 (7: 2), 2: 6. “It’s definitely a good start, but I think there could have been more, so it annoys me a bit,” said Mies.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
