Australian Open: Andrej Rublew can't stop Novak Djoković either

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Novak Djokovic is in the semifinals

Photo: IMAGO/JAMES ROSS / IMAGO/AAP

Tennis star Novak Djoković has set another milestone in his successful career by reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open.

The 35-year-old Serb won the quarterfinals against the Russian Andrei Rublev 6: 1, 6: 2, 6: 4 and celebrated his 26th consecutive victory at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne.

Djokovic drew level with record holder Andre Agassi from the USA.

The fifth-seeded Rublev, on the other hand, also lost his seventh quarterfinal in a major tournament.

Djoković is the clear favorite against Tommy Paul in his 44th Grand Slam semi-final on Friday.

The world number 35.

had previously beaten compatriot Ben Shelton 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 3, 5: 7, 6: 4 and was the first American in 14 years to reach the top four in Melbourne.

Andy Roddick was the last to do this in 2009.

»Everyone dreams of starting to play tennis.

I can't believe I made it,' Paul said.

Djoković has won all of his previous nine semi-finals in Melbourne.

»Djoković seems exhilarated«

Unlike the round of 16 victory two days earlier against Australian Alex de Minaur, Djoković did not always seem satisfied.

The 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner discussed with coach Goran Ivanišević, quarreled with the wind and complained to the referee about a fan.

"He seems a bit more nervous and upbeat, not quite as calm and as in the last match," said Eurosport expert Boris Becker about his ex-protégé.

The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and the Russian Karen Chatschanow contest the second semi-final.

Double player Mies loses with a new partner

Doubles player Andreas Mies missed the semi-finals of the Australian Open at the first Grand Slam tournament with his new partner John Peers.

The two-time French Open winner lost alongside the Australian against number eight seeded duo Marcel Granollers (Spain) and Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) 4: 6, 7: 6 (7: 2), 2: 6.

mfu/dpa