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Novak Djokovik Beats American Tommy Paul in straight sets to win record 22nd Grand Slam title Australian Open Semi-finals Friday, setting up a mouthwatering final with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Serbian faced tough opposition from big-hitting Paul in a 7-5 6-1 6-2 victory to reach his 33rd Grand Slam final.
His victory came just hours after Tsitsipas beat Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 to reach the second Grand Slam final of his career.
The final is set to be an exciting contest and whoever wins will be crowned the new Men’s World No. 1. Tsitsipas is looking for his maiden Grand Slam title, while Djokovic is just one match away from equaling Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
Despite battling a hamstring injury in the first round of the tournament, Djokovic has been dominant in Melbourne, sweeping his last four opponents without dropping a set. But there has been a dispute outside the court.
Djokovic’s father Srjan was not present for Friday’s match after he was pictured in a demonstration with fans carrying Russian flags, voicing support for Russia.
In a video posted on YouTube by a known supporter of Vladimir Putin, the Serbian player’s father can be seen posing with a fan outside Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. The man is wearing a “Z” symbol on his shirt – a symbol seen as a sign of support for Russia, including its invasion of Ukraine – while holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it. “Long live Russia,” they say.
In a statement released before the match, Srijan said he was in Melbourne “only to support his son” and had “no intention of causing any such headlines or disruption.”
The statement continued, “So there is no disruption to my son or other player in tonight’s semi-final I have chosen to watch from home.”
In the semi-finals, the 35-year-old raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set. But, Paul – the huge underdog after a dream run in the semifinals – broke Djokovic’s serve twice to level the set at 5-5.
Djokovic was able to recover the skid and close out the opening set. As the match progressed, his class showed as he carefully dissected his American opponent, converting seven of 11 break points.
The win, which took Djokovic two hours and 20 minutes, left him still in the hunt to claim a record 10th Australian Open title.
Djokovic said his level was “absolutely right” heading into Sunday’s final.
“Obviously, you are not as fresh as at the start of the tournament, but we put in a lot of hours in the off-season. I know what to expect and I’ve been in many positions in my career,” he said in his on-court interview immediately afterwards.
“It’s a great battle, with myself and the opponent. Long rallies and you could feel the heavy legs in the first set but I was lucky to hold my nerves. After that I was swinging more than the ball and I am happy to have won another final.
It was the end of the road for Paul, who surprised many by reaching the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career.
Currently ranked No. 35 in the world, Paul became the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2009 to reach the last four of the Australian Open when he defeated fellow American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.
The 25-year-old is now almost guaranteed to climb into the world’s top 20 for the first time, beating top-30 players Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Roberto Bautista Agut in the last four.
For Tsitsipas it is a chance to take revenge on Djokovic.
The pair met in the final of the 2021 French Open – Tsitsipas’ first career Grand Slam final – in which Djokovic came from two sets down to defeat the Greek.
But now, only 18 months later, the 24-year-old has the chance to avenge that heartbreaking defeat and after his semi-final win against Khachanov, he said he was playing some of the best tennis of his career.
Tsitsipas said, “I don’t see any downside or negativity in what I’m trying to do there.” “Even if it doesn’t work out, I am very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent I face.
“It’s something I’ve been lacking in my game. I really believe in what I’m capable of producing. That’s enough. I walk [it] In this way… I strive for it every day. It might not be the way I want, but I put 110 per cent into it.
Though his march into the final was halted by Khachanov holding two match points in the third set, Tsitsipas defeated the Russian in three hours and 21 minutes.
And with a spot at the top of the world rankings on the line, Tsitsipas said he was living a “childhood dream”.
“I love that number… It’s a Grand Slam final, I’m fighting for the No. 1 spot, it’s a childhood dream to hold that No. 1 spot one day,” he said.
“I’m close. I’m glad this opportunity has come here in Australia and not somewhere else, because it’s such an important place.”
Djokovic holds the record for most time spent as world No. 1 with 373 weeks. Seeded fourth at the Australian Open and currently ranked No. 5 in the world, the Serb played a limited schedule in 2022 because of his decision not to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
He was deported from Australia prior to the start of the 2022 Australian Open, and was unable to travel to compete in some of the tournament-hosting territories – including the United States – due to his vaccination status, thus forfeiting his Lost several ranking points. protect.