Novak Djokovic Gets Walkover Into Australian Open Semis After Trailing By 2 Sets

Novak Djokovic is into the semifinals of the Australian Open and remains alive for his record 25th Grand slam singles title despite appearing on the brink of exiting thet tournament.

No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti retired with an upper right leg injury while leading No. 4 Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 in their quarterfinal clash on Wednesday. The Italian tried to continue after receiving treatment from the physio at 1-2, but was forced to stop after two hours and eight minutes of play.

Djokovic had already reached the quarterfinals via a walkover against Jakub Mensik, meaning the Serb has played just nine sets to get to a semifinal clash against either No. 2 Jannik Sinnoer or No. 8 Ben Shelton.

“I don’t know what to say except for I feel sorry for him,” Djokovic said on court. “He was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight. Don’t know what to say, these kind of things happen in sport. It happened to me a few times. You know, being in quarters of a grand slam up 2 sets to love up and being in full control. I mean, so unfortunate. I don’t know what else to say. I wish him a speedy recovery and he should’ve been the winner today no doubt.”

John McEnroe said Djokovic “snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. He looked toast two sets down.”

Djokovic now leads Musetti 10-1 all time despite getting broken five times across the first two sets.

“The strategy worked very well for the first couple of games, and then it changed completely,” said Djokovic. “Four winners in the first two games, and no unforced errors. Then in the rest of the match I had another four winners and probably 40 errors. But that’s what Lorenzo does to you.

“He makes you play. When you think the point is finished, it’s not. Obviously, a bit more wind today, swirly conditions, and when you attack him you don’t know what to expect… What can I say. I tried my best. Yes, I have a blister here and there, but nothing really majorly bothered me. I just wasn’t feeling the ball today in the first couple of sets, but that’s also due to his quality and his variety of game. I’m just extremely lucky to get through this one today.”

Looking ahead, Sinner holds a 6-4 lead on Djokovic and has won five in a row, including the Wimbledon and U.S. Open semifinals a year ago.

Against Shelton, Djokovic is 1-0 with a straight-sets win in the 2023 U.S. Open semifinals.

“Well, [Djokovic] is thinking at the moment that he’s been given a lifeline,” McEnroe said.