With a furious performance on Friday, Novak Djokovic defeated the risky Canadian Denis Shapovalov to advance to the semifinals of the Adelaide International against former world number one Daniil Medvedev . In advance of the Australian Open later this month, the Serbian, who was vying for his 92nd career victory, overcame early hiccups before finding his groove and winning 6-3, 6-4. He will now play Medvedev. Who is runner-up at the last two Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne. He defeated compatriot Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 despite being outmatched.
“I think the scoreline probably doesn’t give you the right idea of what happened on the court, it was such a close match — two hours for two sets. The first set was extremely exhausting for both of us, we pushed each other to the limit physically… I’m definitely pleased with the way I fought tonight.”
DJOKOVIC SAID.
He got off to a rough start, losing the first game by two break points. However, he bounced back to hold. And after five minutes had passed due to nearby fireworks. He started to get the measure of the Canadian and broke for 5-3 before serving out the set.
Shapovalov rallied as Djokovic raced to a 3-1 lead in the second set. The 35-year-old then increased his lifetime advantage over his rival to 8-0. Before Medvedev ran off 12 of 15 points to break twice. He won the opening set. However, there wasn’t much of a difference between him and Khachanov after their first six games. Khachanov opened up a 3-1 lead in the second but couldn’t sustain the pressure as Medvedev came storming back.
“Never easy to play your compatriot. I’m happy that I really managed to raise my level, particularly in the end of both sets and really happy to be through to the semis.I’m playing well right now and honestly that’s all that matters.”
SAID THIRD-SEEDED MEDVEDEV.
Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, who had previously stunned world number 11 Holger Rune, advanced as well after defeating Australian Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (8/10), 6-2.
After defeating sixth-seeded Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-1, who had treatment for his hip at the end of the first set and seemed hindered in the second, it set up a semifinal matchup with American Sebastian Korda. Also Read: Tennis Legend Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer
Jabeur Dominates in Women
Women’s top seed Ons Jabeur went 3-0 behind in the first set against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, but rallied to win 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.
The Tunisian defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6) to advance to the final, where she will face rising Czech teenager Linda Noskova.
Aryna Sabalenka, the fifth-ranked player in the world, defeated Marketa Vondrousova to advance to the semifinals. The Belarusian withstood the heat to defeat her Czech opponent 6-3, 7-5, and carry on with her great late-season form from 2022, when she placed second at the WTA Finals. With Tennis catching up in Australia the first grand slam of the year begins in less than two weeks.
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