Australian Open: Novak Djokovic wrestles Alexander Zverev and is in the semifinals
Novak Djokovic is in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. The Serb defeated Alexander Zverev 6: 7 (6), 6: 2, 6: 3 and ( here you can read the match in re-live ). In the semifinals, the defending champion will now meet the surprise man Aslan Karatsev .
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 16, 2021, 02:36 pm
It should be the first really big sporting test for Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. In the days before the big quarter-final hit against Germany's number one Alexander Zverev, the duel with the world number seven for Djokovic increasingly became a fitness test. After his third round success over the American Taylor Fritz, the Serb complained of an abdominal muscle injury, after his victory over Milos Raonic one round later, the industry leader went so far as to say that his appearance was only due to the fact that it was with this tournament is about a major.
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And it was also the question of the fitness of the 17-time Grand Slam champion that ran like a thread through this quarter-final duel. Djokovic, actually known for his qualities as a human rubber wall, started this game unusually offensively, trying to keep the rallies short. With moderate success: The Serb quickly fell behind with Break, but was able to equalize this in the course of the first set. However, this should not be of much use to the world number one: Alexander Zverev showed great tennis in the short decision and above all strong nerves and set 6: 8 to 1: 0 sets.
Anyone who thought of a broken neck for the ailing Serb at the time: Far from it. Novak Djokovic's supposed impairment was very little to be seen in set two, the 33-year-old dominated the game in the Rod Laver Arena, took the high-serving Zverev's service twice and after just under hours managed to equalize the set with a 6-2 .
In this roller coaster ride from a tennis match, it was Alexander Zverev's turn again. As in the first round, the German managed the early break, which the world number seventh was able to hold for much longer this time. Much to the annoyance of Novak Djokovic, who acknowledged the loss of the contested fifth game of the set by destroying his racket. This emotional outburst seemed to have done anything but harm to the world number one: The next three games of the game went to Djokovic, in set three everything was back on track.
Djokovic with mad run in set three
For the 33-year-old Serb, however, that was just the beginning of a sensational run in this third set. The world number one put another break at 4: 4 and after a little more than two hours served 15 to 6: 4 in round three. For the first time, a very positive emotion should be observed in the Serbs: The eight-time Australian Open champion gave a primal scream in the orphaned Rod Laver Arena. Alexander Zverev, on the other hand, also slightly handicapped with a large plaster on his upper body, let the fight with his own body shine through for the first time.
Zverev again gives leadership out of hand
But just a little. At the start of the fourth set it was again the world number seven who put his stamp on the game. The German got the early break again and was able to pull away to 3-0 after defending against two break balls - which he had previously caused with a double fault. And again the game from sets one and three seemed to repeat itself: Zverev had the opportunity to move on, Djokovic thwarted and played himself again a little later. With strong help from Alexander Zverev, who became increasingly insecure with the serve - after exactly two hours and 45 minutes, the world number one placed 3: 3.
The difference to the third round: Alexander Zverev managed to interrupt the run of the Serb at least once with the game win to 4: 3 and in the following service game of the Serb actually had the opportunity to pull away again with a break. In the two break chances of the Serbs, however, the industry leader again showed his best tennis and was able to fend off with two successful one-two punches - and a little later held his serve. Alexander Zverev still had a chance when Djokovic served in this set - but the German had to pass a break and set point at the score of 6: 5 after an ace from the Serb. Logically, as in sentence one, a tiebreak had to bring the decision.
Karatsev is waiting in the semifinals
In this both players started with extremely good serves - accordingly there were few chances at the beginning of this short decision for the returners. Until the score of 5: 6 on Zverev's serve, the world number one came to his first match point of the game: The German was able to equalize this with a great slice. However, the German made the wrong decision with a net advance - so Djokovic should be able to play the next match point with his own serve. That should be the decisive advantage for the Serb: The 33-year-old closed the sack with an ace.
In the semifinals, Novak Djokovic now meets the big surprise man of the previous Australian Open: the Russian Aslan Karatsev. The qualifier was also able to defeat Grigor Dimitrov in the morning, who appeared to be affected by an injury from the middle of the second set.
Here you can read the match in re-live !