The nine-time champion was in fine form again, consistently
painting the lines in a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over fifth seed Andrey Rublev on Rod
Laver Arena.
It paved the way for a match against unseeded American Tommy
Paul.
Djokovic hasn’t lost at Melbourne Park since 2018, and he
has a 39-match winning streak in Australia. This now matches Agassi’s win
streak from 2000 to 2004.
“I cannot be happier with my tennis. I’ve been playing very
solid. I love playing in these conditions, on this court. Overall I think the
scoreline in the first two sets doesn’t speak the truth of the match.
“Andrey is a great player. I found my best tennis in all of
the crucial moments and shots. So, that’s what I’m most pleased about tonight.”
The fifth seed appeared to be bothered by his left hamstring
at times.
But it didn’t stop him from running around the court,
deflecting everything big-hitting Russian Rublev threw at him. He was more
affected by a heckler who called out “Come on Andrey, send him home” during the
first set.
It drew loud boos from the largely pro-Djokovic crowd and
prompted the Serbian to complain to British umpire James Keothavong.
It was Rublev’s turn to appeal to Keothavong in the second
set when he felt Djokovic should have received a time violation.
However, the man on the other end of the court frustrated
the Russian, who was attempting to reach his first grand slam semi-final on the
seventh attempt.
Djokovic, who has never lost in the Melbourne Park
semi-finals, was nearly flawless in the big moments.
He avoided all five break points he faced and won in two
hours and three minutes. dpa/NAN
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