Fast and impressive!
A direct forehand into the net finally put an end to Andrey Rublev's ordeal.
After three small sets (6-1, 6-2, 6-4) and a little over two hours of a one-way match (2:03 exactly), Novak Djokovic qualified, this Wednesday in Melbourne, for the last four of the Australian Open by correcting the Russian, yet world No. 6.
A nice birthday present - a day late - for her mom.
Present in the stands, she was entitled to a song from the public.
18. @DjokerNole in the Australian Open last four:
▫️ 2008: ✅✅(🏆)
▫️ 2011: ✅✅(🏆)
▫️ 2012: ✅✅(🏆)
▫️ 2013: ✅✅( 🏆) ▫️ 2013: ✅✅(🏆) ▫️ 2013: ✅✅(🏆)
▫️ : ✅✅ (🏆)
▫️ 2016: ✅✅ (🏆)
▫️ 2019: ✅✅ (🏆)
▫️ 2020: ✅✅ (🏆)
▫️ 2021: ✅✅ (🏆)
▫️ 2023: ❔❔ (❔)
➡️ 18 victories, 0 loss pic.twitter.com/NIb7UwFlMn
— Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) January 25, 2023
Forced to wear a bandage on his left thigh, due to an injury that awoke at the start of the tournament, he never showed the slightest sign of weakness.
On the contrary, he displayed a firepower in his strikes and a liveliness in his runs which prove that he is in full possession of his means.
At 35, he is evolving at a stratospheric level.
This is his 10th appearance in the last four of the Australian Grand Slam.
Each time, the current world number 5 ended up winning the tournament.
And after such a show of force, the way seems royal to a new title.
A 22nd in Grand Slam would allow him to join Rafael Nadal on the roof of the tennis Olympus.
The Spaniard has already made it his favorite.
In the meantime he will face in the semi-final the American Tommy Paul, 35th in the world, for a duel between a specialist and a novice.
At 25, Paul has indeed reached this stage of a Major for the first time in his career after his success, earlier this Wednesday, over his compatriot Ben Shelton (89th) in four sets (7-6 (8/6) , 6-3, 5-7, 6-4).
“I'm delighted to be here… Going into the second week of a Grand Slam tournament is a dream for all tennis players.
So to be here now, in the semis, it's amazing,” said Paul.
The other semi-final will oppose the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, 4th in the world, to the Russian Karen Khachanov (20th).