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Australian Open: Novak Djokovic also in top form as a singer

Novak Djokovic built up the necessary aggressiveness - and confirmed his exceptional position in Melbourne.

by SID
last edit: Jan 25, 2023, 03:43 pm

Giving Jim Courier an interview is always easy for Novak Djokovic
© Getty Images
Giving Jim Courier an interview is always easy for Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic suddenly felt like joking and even sang a belated birthday song to his mom. "I couldn't be happier with my tennis," said the big title favorite after reaching the semi-finals in Melbourne: "I love playing for myself on such a special place."

Earlier, Djokovic had shown a very different side at Rod Laver Arena. He complained about a fan, shouted angrily in the direction of his box - and after he had built up the necessary aggressiveness, then mercilessly showed the Russian Andrej Rublev the limits at 6: 1, 6: 2, 6: 4. Djokovic, who is being accompanied by his parents in Australia for the first time in 15 years, is only two steps away from his 22nd Grand Slam title and is probably untouchable in this form.

Becker - "Rublev couldn't keep the class"

"You could say I feel a little extra motivation this year," said Djokovic, alluding to his expulsion last year and his much-discussed hamstring injury. "In the first one and a half sentences, Novak was emotionally attacked today," said Djokovic's ex-coach Boris Becker at Eurosport: "But Rublev didn't have the class."

As a result, the 35-year-old Serb confidently reached the round of the last four for the tenth time Down Under. Whenever Djokovic climbed that level there, he also secured the title. His 26th consecutive win also equaled Andre Agassi's record for the longest winning streak at the Yarra River tournament. Rublev, on the other hand, also lost his seventh majors quarterfinal.

Djokovic can draw level with Nadal

Djokovic, who can draw level with Grand Slam record winner Rafael Nadal from Spain in Australia and has his much-discussed thigh problems under control, will now meet Tommy Paul in a duel for the final on Friday, who was the first US player in 14 years to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne reached. The 25-year-old from New Jersey won against compatriot Ben Shelton 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 3, 5: 7, 6: 4. The second semi-final is contested by Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece and Karen Khachanov from Russia.

As a clear outsider, Paul will now throw himself into the almost impossible task against Djokovic. "I play my best tennis, so it's a good time for it," he said confidently on Wednesday. Overall, the upswing in US tennis is causing a stir. "Finally. They invest a lot of money from their association," said Becker

Here is the men's individual tableau

laver arena

by SID

Wednesday
Jan 25, 2023, 04:25 pm
last edit: Jan 25, 2023, 03:43 pm