Djokovic targets 10th Australian Open final, Paul looks to flip the
script
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[January 26, 2023]
By Shrivathsa Sridhar
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - As title contenders fall by the wayside at
Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic's march to a 22nd Grand Slam crown
carries an air of inevitability, with American first-time
semi-finalist Tommy Paul next in the super Serbian's crosshairs on
Friday.
Fourth seed Djokovic, seeking a record-extending 10th Australian
Open title, has been in dominant form in his return to the country,
a year after being deported on the eve of last year's tournament for
not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
The biggest threat to his campaign so far has been a hamstring
injury, which he suffered en route to winning the warm-up title in
Adelaide.
Djokovic was at his devastating best in statement wins over Alex de
Minaur in the fourth round and Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals
and he said those remaining in the men's draw should take notice.
"Playing against two guys that are really good, in-form players, to
beat them dominantly in three sets is something that I want in this
moment, something that sends a message to all my opponents remaining
in the draw," Djokovic said.
Having equalled Andre Agassi's 26-match Australian Open win streak
to reach his 44th Grand Slam semi-final and sit two behind 20-times
major champion Roger Federer in the all-time list, the 35-year-old
Djokovic said he was still improving.
"I feel good on court, better and better as the tournament
progresses," Djokovic said. "I've been in this situation so many
times in my life, in my career, I've never lost a semi-final at the
Australian Open. Hopefully that will stay the same."
Hoping to flip the script is Paul, who outclassed fellow unseeded
American Ben Shelton to become only the third active U.S. male
player to have made the last four of a Grand Slam alongside John
Isner and Frances Tiafoe.
Paul's progress
is testament to the steady rise of American men's tennis, with 10
players set to be in the ATP top 50 on Monday following a superb run
at Melbourne Park, where the likes of holder Rafa Nadal, Daniil
Medvedev and Casper Ruud went out early.
But the 25-year-old hopes to go further.
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Tommy Paul of the U.S. celebrates winning his quarter final match
against Ben Shelton of the U.S. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
"It's important
to me," said Paul, the first American man to reach the Australian
Open semis since Andy Roddick in 2009. "We all want it pretty bad
for ourselves, but we want it for U.S. tennis, too."
CROWD FAVOURITE
Stefanos Tsitsipas will make his fourth appearance in the
semi-finals at the Australian Open when he takes on revitalised
Russian Karen Khachanov.
The third-seeded Greek is a crowd favourite at Melbourne Park and
has been ruthlessly efficient so far, winning four out of his five
matches in straight sets - including a comfortable victory over
unheralded Czech Jiri Lehecka in the quarters.
"It's great to be back in the semi-finals," Tsitsipas said.
"Of course, I'm definitely happy with the way I've been playing. I'm
looking ahead for more, for better. I'm looking to create some
magical experiences here in Australia."
Khachanov will be slightly fresher of the two after going through to
the semis when his American opponent Sebastian Korda retired from
their quarter-final due to a wrist injury.
"This time it's different because I'm physically also, after
pre-season, feeling really good so far," U.S. Open semi-finalist
Khachanov said.
"I haven't had long matches, so it's different, it can be three also
in the semis. But coming into it I'll be in physically better
shape."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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