MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic has won all nine of his Australian Open semi-finals and is unwilling to ruin Tommy Paul’s unblemished record on Friday as he inches closer to a 22nd Grand Slam title.
The Serb, who won his first Slam at Melbourne Park in 2008, struggled physically with a hamstring injury early this year.
But losses of only 12 games in straight sets to Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev signaled badly that the favorite was back to his best for the semi-finals.
Should he beat unseeded American Paul on Rod Laver Arena, he will face either third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Russian 18th seed Karen Khachanov as a final roadblock to a 10th Australian Open title on Sunday.
Djokovic has extra motivation to go all the way and equal Rafael Nadal’s 22nd Grand Slam crown after missing last year’s event when he was deported over his Covid vaccination stand. In his absence the Spanish great won.
“I always try to give my best, especially in the Grand Slams because at this stage of my career those are the tournaments that matter the most,” said the 35-year-old.
“But you could say this year is something extra. You could say because, yeah, the injury, what happened last year, I really wanted to do well.
“The hard courts in Australia, Adelaide (which she won) and here my score so far is perfect. I’m playing better and better. I couldn’t ask for a better position at this time.
With Djokovic on a 26-match winning streak at the Australian Open – equaling Andre Agassi’s Open-era record at the first Grand Slam of the year – the 35th-ranked Paul is a massive underdog.
The 25-year-old is a surprise semifinalist, breaking into a major for the first time in his 14th attempt.
“We have never played a match against each other. He is definitely more comfortable here in Australia.”
“It’s going to be a challenging match, but I’m playing my best tennis, so it’s a good time.”
Djokovic said he was keeping an eye on the American and would not underestimate the challenge.
“He’s probably playing the tennis of his life,” he said. “Very explosive, very dynamic player. I think he can hit all the spots with the serve. Very complete player.
“First semi-final for him, so he definitely doesn’t have much to lose.”
Tsitsipas vs Khachanov
Tsitsipas meets Khachanov in another last-four clash on Friday, aiming to end three semi-final losses in Melbourne over the past two years.
Now 24, he believes he has matured and this could finally be his year to become the youngest champion since Djokovic won the title at the age of 23 in 2011. is bidding.
“I feel great with my tennis. I don’t think I’ve felt this good in a long time,” said the Greek.
“I have said this – I am a different player (from the past), playing different. I have a different mindset.
He recently won all five meetings with Khachanov at the Rome Masters last year and said he is looking forward to facing the Russian again.
“It is a match I am looking forward to,” he said. “I’m looking forward to more, to better. Trying to create some magical experiences here in Australia.
The 26-year-old Russian player also made it to the semi-finals of the US Open in September.
He has now made the quarters or better in all four Grand Slams and will gain experience when he plays the Greek star.
“I think that first semifinal, which I had at the US Open, that gave me an extra boost and extra confidence to show where I really am, and what I can do when I’m at my best, ” They said.
“I think all those things together, pushed me to where I am now.”