MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic was still in the first sentence of him Australian Open Quarterfinals against Andrey Rublev when the guy who would face the winner of this match Thomas PaulShe sat down for a press conference.
“I probably have a better chance of winning if it’s Rublev,” Paul said with a smile, “but playing Novak here in Australia would be great.”
Well, he gets that chance Friday at Rod Laver Arena in the semifinals.
Djokovic was never really tested en route to a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over No. 5 Rublev on Wednesday night to extend his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 26 games, tied with Andre Agassi for the longest Run by a man there in the Open era dating to 1968.
If he manages that 28th in a row with victories over unseeded Paul and then either No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas or No.18 Karen Khachanov in Sunday’s final, Djokovic would win his 10th championship at the Australian Open and add a mark , which he already owns, and his 22nd of all Grand Slam tournaments, equaling Rafael Nadal’s record for men.
Of course, there was a pause during Djokovic’s streak: he didn’t play at the Australian Open last year, which is part of what he calls the “something extra” that made him want to “do really well” this time .
Here’s a look at why Djokovic wasn’t at the tournament in 2022, why he’s back in 2023 and if anyone can stop him from leaving town with the trophy:
WHY WAS DJOKOVIC NOT AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN LAST YEAR?
The short answer: He was not vaccinated against COVID-19. The longer answer: Djokovic initially sought and was granted an exception that would allow him entry into the tournament – and the country – despite there being strict rules requiring shots. But after his flight landed, he was detained at the airport, his visa was canceled and he was sent to an immigration hotel. A judge later restored the visa and ordered Djokovic’s release. He decided he wasn’t given enough time to speak to his lawyers. Australia’s Immigration Minister then revoked the visa based on “public interest”. Djokovic’s appeal against this verdict was rejected by a three-judge panel and he was expelled. He faced a possible three-year travel ban as someone whose visa was revoked.
WHY IS HE PLAYING THERE THIS YEAR?
Djokovic, a 35-year-old Serb, is still unvaccinated against the disease caused by the coronavirus – and has said he won’t get vaccinated even if it means missing tournaments. But Australia had a change of government, the country’s pandemic border rules changed and the current Immigration Secretary granted him a visa this time. (So far, the United States bans unvaccinated foreigners, which could prevent Djokovic from competing in the US Open for the second straight year.)
HOW WAS HE TAKEN BY THE VIEWERS?
From the moment he arrived in Melbourne, Djokovic was showered with affection (apart from the occasional persistent caller ). Dozens of Serbian flags adorn the stands during these games. Ditto for signs proclaiming him the sport’s ‘GOAT’ – ‘Greatest of All-Time’. Chants of his two-syllable nickname “No-le! No!” fill the air repeatedly.
HOW DOES HE PLAY?
Djokovic got off to a slow start hampered by a injured left hamstring which was taped for each game. But after playing slightly less than his best, he said a rigorous treatment regimen and “lots” of painkilling pills have helped him look superb lately: he’s won 11 straight sets and surrendered just 27 games. Here was Alex de Minaur’s takeaway after losing to Djokovic 6-2, 6-1, 6-2: “If that’s the level, I think he’s definitely the guy who’s going to take the title.” On Wednesday Djokovic called his last two performances “something that sends a message to everyone Opponents who remain in the draw.”
can anyone beat him
An important statistic: Djokovic is in the semifinals and finals in Melbourne with a combined 18-0. Also, not only is he the only man left with a Grand Slam trophy, the other three semifinalists have played in one grand final overall: Tsitsipas finished second behind Djokovic at the 2021 French Open and gained a two-set lead before losing in five. You’d think Tsitsipas would be the one who’d like to forget that ever happened, but it was Djokovic who didn’t seem to remember the other day, saying of the 24-year-old from Greece: “He’s never played a final , Am I wrong?” Reminded of Roland Garros by reporters, Djokovic replied: “That’s right. I’m sorry.” As for going head-to-head against the semi-finalists, Djokovic has never played Paul, is 10-2 against Tsitsipas (win in the last nine) and 8-1 against Khachanov (win in the last seven). Looking ahead to the duel with Paul, an American in 35th place, Djokovic said: “If I play like this, I think I have a good chance of progressing.”
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