Australian Open: ‘extremely lucky’ Djokovic into semis against Sinner as Musetti retires

Novak Djokovic admitted he got lucky after opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt on Wednesday to send him into his 13th Australian Open semi-final and a showdown with reigning champion Jannik Sinner, who called the Serbian great “an inspiration”. Earlier on day 11 in Melbourne, Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina both won in straight sets and will meet for a place in the final. In the women’s doubles, China’s Zhang Shuai and Belgian partner Elise Mertens beat Eri Hozumi of Japan and Wu Fang-hsien of Chinese Taipei 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals. The fourth-seeded pair will face Ena Shibahara of Japan and Russian Vera Zvonareva, who beat Australian wild cards Kimberly Birrell and Talia Gibson 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 in a tough battle. The 38-year-old Djokovic, chasing an all-time record 25th grand slam crown, has the tennis gods smiling on him. His last-16 opponent Jakub Mensik pulled out without a ball being hit and Musetti was forced to retire with the Italian leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 on Rod Laver Arena. The fifth-seeded Musetti was well on top when he needed treatment on his upper right leg, and with his movement badly impeded, was reluctantly forced to throw in the towel. “I feel really sorry for him; he was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight,” said Djokovic, who had been uncharacteristically error strewn and staring down the barrel. “He was in full control. So unfortunate, I don’t know what else to say. “He should have been the winner today, no doubt. I am extremely lucky to get through this one today.” With the victory, Djokovic claimed sole ownership of most singles wins at Melbourne Park, surpassing Roger Federer with his 103rd. Djokovic has been trying to move past Margaret Court and clinch the landmark 25 since his last major title at the US Open in 2023. Italian second seed Sinner was sublime in sweeping past big-serving American eighth seed Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. “We all know what a challenge I am up to,” the relentless Sinner, who is chasing a third Australian title in a row, said of facing Djokovic. “These are the moments you practise for and wake up for in the morning. “It improves you as a player and a person; we are lucky to have Novak still here playing incredible tennis for his age.” He holds a 6-4 win-loss record over Djokovic and has won their past five encounters. But Sinner, who has now reached a sixth consecutive grand slam semi-final, said Djokovic still set the standard for professionalism. “Me, as a 24-year-old, I’m lucky to have someone like him in front of my eyes, and I can hopefully learn something,” said Sinner, who together with Alcaraz has dominated the past eight majors. “He’s an inspiration for all of us and especially the young players,” he added. Top seed Carlos Alcaraz plays third seed Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final. Pegula sets up Rybakina clash Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, stunned second seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 to book her spot in the last four. Pegula swept aside Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6 in an all-American affair. Pegula’s win was the 14th in her past 15 matches against fellow American opponents, continuing her strong run of domestic dominance. Two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka takes on Ukrainian 12th seed Elina Svitolina in the other semi-final. Rybakina has made the Melbourne final once before, in 2023, when she lost in three tough sets to Sabalenka. The 26-year-old fifth seed took her latest victory in her stride, saying a calmer mindset helped in the heat of battle. “In the beginning, when it’s the first final and you go so far in a tournament, of course you are more emotional,” said Rybakina. “Now I feel like I’m just doing my job, trying to improve each day. So it’s kind of another day, another match.” Defeat denied Swiatek in her latest bid for a career Grand Slam of all four majors, having already won Wimbledon, the French Open and the US Open. Sixth seed Pegula and Rybakina have shared three wins each in their six matches so far. Pegula is arrowing in on her first major crown at the age of 31, and like Rybakina, has yet to drop a set. “It’s awesome,” Pegula said of reaching her first Australian semi-final, having beaten defending champion Madison Keys in the previous round. She was helped by an error-riddled display from fourth seed Anisimova, who racked up 44 unforced errors to Pegula’s 21. Her frustrations boiled over at the end as her hopes of reaching a third major final in a row melted away in a blur of mistakes.

Australian Open: ‘extremely lucky’ Djokovic into semis against Sinner as Musetti retires

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pegula beats Anisimova to reach last 4 for first time while Rybakina foils Swiatek’s grand plans; China’s Zhang Shuai reaches doubles semis

Pegula beats Anisimova to reach last 4 for first time while Rybakina foils Swiatek’s grand plans; China’s Zhang Shuai reaches doubles semis