Reigning champion Novak Djokovic overcame some dips in type to beat Alexander Zverev 6-7(6) 6-2 6-Four 7-6(6) and e book his place within the Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
The Serbian world primary hit again strongly after shedding a good opening set on a tiebreak however trailed in each the third and fourth units earlier than turning them round.
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— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 16, 2021
Germany’s Zverev will rue permitting Djokovic again from 4-1 down within the third set and he was additionally up 3-Zero within the fourth.
Djokovic once more wore tape on his belly space, a legacy of the damage picked up in his third-round win over Taylor Fritz. However it didn’t seem to hassle him as he reached his 39th Grand Slam semi-final, the place he’ll face an unlikely opponent in Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev.
The 23-year-old Zverev started in assured style and secured the primary break of the match however did not convert a set level on Djokovic’s serve when main 5-3.
He wavered on his personal serve at 5-Four although, and Djokovic took the set right into a tiebreak, just for some uncharacteristic errors to permit Zverev to sneak a 59-minute set.
Djokovic wanted solely 29 minutes to win the second set however his stage dropped initially of the third, and he destroyed a racket in anger as he slipped 4-1 behind.
Serving for a spot within the #AusOpen semifinals 🎯#AO2021 pic.twitter.com/lWrTm37mkl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021
Zverev was 0-30 forward on Djokovic’s serve within the subsequent sport however Djokovic discovered one other gear, profitable 20 of the subsequent 24 factors to maneuver one set from victory.
One other momentum shift noticed Zverev take a 3-Zero lead within the fourth set and have three factors to maneuver 4-Zero forward, however Djokovic dug in to haul himself again into competition.
Zverev threatened to take the match right into a decider however Djokovic saved a set level at 5-6 with an ace and a strong first serve introduced up match level within the day’s second tiebreak.
Djokovic netted a backhand however pressured a volley error from Zverev to earn one other likelihood, this time on his personal serve, and he wrapped up the match together with his 23rd ace.
QUALIFIER KARATSEV INTO MELBOURNE SEMIS
Qualifier Aslan Karatsev continued his gorgeous run into the Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday, beating an ailing Grigor Dimitrov 2-6 6-Four 6-1 6-2 to develop into the primary man within the open period to achieve the final 4 in his maiden Grand Slam.
The world quantity 114 was additionally solely the fifth qualifier to achieve the final 4 of a males’s main within the open period and the lowest-ranked participant to achieve a Grand Slam semi-final for 20 years.
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— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021
The Russian, whose success at entering into the Australian Open got here on his 10th try and qualify for a Grand Slam, will meet eight-times champion Novak Djokovic for a spot within the closing.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling, first time foremost draw, first time semis,” mentioned the 27-year-old, whose victory was marked solely by canned applause with followers nonetheless banned from Melbourne Park due to a five-day coronavirus lockdown.
With Karatsev’s ATP Cup group mates Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev going through off in a quarter-final on Wednesday, Russia are assured to have two gamers within the semi-finals and will but present each finalists.
“I strive not to consider it, I simply take a look at the subsequent match,” mentioned Karatsev when requested concerning the prospect.
