‘Extremely lucky’ Djokovic sets up Australian Open semifinal against Sinner

An “extremely lucky” Novak Djokovic has survived a huge scare, at two sets down, to reach the Australian Open semifinals after Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt, setting up a semfinal showdown against defending champion ‌Jannik Sinner, who thumped Ben Shelton in straight sets.

The fifth-seeded Musetti was well on top and leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 on Wednesday, when he withdrew after treatment on his upper right leg, with his movement badly impeded.

It was a huge stroke of luck for the error-riddled 10-time Melbourne winner Djokovic, who will now play Sinner for a place in the final as he keeps alive his bid for a 25th Grand Slam crown.

Djokovic has been trying to move past Margaret Court and clinch the landmark since his last one at the US Open in 2023.

It has proved increasingly difficult with the emergence of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

“I feel really sorry for him, he was the far better player, I was on my way home tonight,” said Djokovic.

“It has happened to me a few times. 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.”

Smooth Sinner sails through

In the second quarterfinal of the day, Sinner scorched American eighth seed Shelton 6-3 6-4 6-4 to book a blockbuster ‍showdown with 10-time winner Djokovic.

The second seed, who is firmly on course for his third title at Melbourne Park in as many years, tightened his vice-like grip on the rivalry with Shelton by sealing his ninth straight win, all of which have been without conceding a set.

Despite a comfortable win ⁠to reach his ninth Grand Slam semifinal and sixth in a row, Sinner faced moments where he was tested by ​Shelton’s thunderous serves, including one that nearly crashed into his body, leaving him little time to ‍react.

“It’s very tough to play against Ben; he’s got a huge serve and he’s improving year after year,” said Sinner.

“After the off-season, you never know how certain players are going to play against you.

“It’s not always, the power that matters. The serves I can handle ‍are a little ⁠bit closer to my body. It’s slightly easier, but it’s a completely different serve, he’s a lefty, we don’t have many lefties in our game.

“It’s definitely one of the toughest challenges to return his serve.”