After two wins, Novak Djokovic overcame Taylor Fritz, moving him closer to an incredible tenth Australian Open title.
The brave American saved his first fifteen break points to beat the Serbian in the second set. Serbia won 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in a breakthrough.
Melbourne semi-finalists Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner, who defeated Djokovic twice, will face off.
The last time Djokovic played Adrian Mannarino, he dropped three games. The top seed dominated the Fritz serve in a phenomenal sixteen-minute opening set.
Fritz’s coach, Michael Russell, told him to “keep it up” after three break points and nine deuces. Fritz had to defend three additional break possibilities from 0–40 in the next game, so the advice was foreshadowing.
The American saved two more at 4-4 and tested his opponent’s serve with an arrow-shaped forehand that went 15-40. He had two set points.
Given his career’s stake in winning major games, Djokovic promptly discounted the threat. A crying infant in the bleachers halted him on game point, but it just delayed his tie-break ticket.
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The crowd went nuts after the ten-time winner scored the first four points. He lifted his palm 6-1 and theatrically motioned to his ear, shouting for more noise, which was made. To win the first set, Djokovic needed three points.
Thus, Djokovic’s nervousness after the second game may have surprised some. Fritz led the match after two double faults and a heated argument with his partner.
In the set, Novak Djokovic used his exceptional defence to create seven break-back points after Fritz saved the first one, but he settled soon.
Fritz defeated the Serbian’s fantastic baseline serve and volley when he was in the zone. Though deadlocked, the 12th seed ended the set in love for an improbable win.
However, Fritz began to tyre in the third set. After 2:49, Djokovic broke his opponent’s service with 15 break points.
After Fritz failed to hit an ace, Djokovic took the lead and qualified for the final four on another break.
Novak Djokovic sensed problems in the fourth set and surged, winning the match 4-2.
Fritz resisted quitting after three setbacks. Fritz nearly got back on serve when a forehand hit the net and landed on Djokovic’s side, but the top seed pulled out a third consecutive break, this time to love.
Fritz was out, and Djokovic easily reached his 48th Grand Slam semifinal.
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