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Djokovic has been well received on his return to Australia
following his deportation on the eve of the Grand Slam last year
for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 and the 35-year-old
delighted fans by comfortably going up a set and a break.
Canada's world number 18 Shapovalov raised his game to draw
level at 3-3 in the second set but surrendered his serve after a
wayward shot and a double fault as Djokovic surged ahead 5-4
before closing out the quarter-final clash on serve.
Top seed Djokovic has won his previous three meetings with
Medvedev, who last beat him in the 2021 U.S. Open final.
"It'll be another long night. There's not going to be too many
short points unless we both serve well," said Djokovic, who is
8-4 overall against the Russian.
"Against him, you have to be ready to go the distance physically
and mentally... game-wise, he's one of the best in the last five
years. He's established himself ... and he's someone I respect a
lot.
"We've had some amazing battles over the years and hopefully we
can have one more."
Third seed Medvedev earlier advanced with a 6-3 6-3 win over
compatriot Karen Khachanov in their first tour meeting since
2019 to improve his record against him to 3-1.
"I'm happy that I managed to raise my level, especially in the
end of both sets and I'm really happy to be in the semis,"
Medvedev said.
Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka knocked out the last remaining
Australian in the ATP 250 event as he beat qualifier Alexei
Popyrin 7-6(4) 6-7(8) 6-2 to set up a semi-final clash with
Sebastian Korda, seeking a first win over the American.
Korda faced sixth seed Jannik Sinner after straight-sets wins
over Andy Murray and Roberto Bautista Agut and the world number
33 was unstoppable again in his 7-5 6-1 victory over the Italian
who struggled with a hip issue.
"It was a great match until something started to bother him,"
Korda said. "So I just wish him all the best for the coming
weeks and the Australian Open coming up."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken
Ferris)
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