Australian Open: Novak Djokovic survives fitness test against Milos Raonic
Novak Djokovic is in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after a four-set win over Milos Raonic . In this, the world number one meets the German Alexander Zverev .
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Feb 14, 2021, 02:26 pm
"I don't know if I'll have recovered in less than two days. I don't know if I'll be on the field," said Novak Djokovic right after his five-set win over Taylor Fritz. In the match against the US-American, the world number one injured his abdominal muscles, Djokovic himself even spoke of a "tear in the muscle" after reaching the last sixteen.
At the beginning of his four-round game against Milos Raonic, however, the Serb did not seem to be too restricted: Djokovic served well and his forehand, which had caused him great problems on Friday, initially worked well, but the pain subsided towards the end of the first set Visibly too, but round number one in the tiebreak went to the 33-year-old - also because Raonic did not place a single first serve in the field in the short decision.
Djokovic stumbles in set two
In the second section, Djokovic had to struggle with his injury a lot more than in the first round: Although it was Raonic who had to take a medical time-out due to a foot injury, the 30-year-old presented himself clearly on the pitch more stable than its opponent. Set two consequently went 6: 4 to the Canadian.
The world number 14 knew the momentum. but not at all transportable in the third passage. Djokovic, who now looked fitter again, took Raonic's serve to 3-1 and made his second break of the day two games later. The foundation stone for winning the 6: 1 set was laid.
Djokovic in the quarter-finals against Zverev
The fourth act started out evenly, but as so often in his career, Djokovic struck at exactly the right moment: The 17-time Grand Slam winner broke to 5: 4 and then safely served to 7: 6 (4), 4: 6, 6: 1 and 6: 4 success.
In the quarter-finals, the world number one meets Alexander Zverev, who beat Dusan Lajovic in three sets .
Here is the men's single tableau
laver arena