Australian Open: I was going home admits lucky Djokovic as he sets up Sinner clash

Novak Djokovic admitted he was “on his way home” before being reprieved by an injury to Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open today.

Musetti led 6-4 6-3 1-3 on Rod Laver Arena before an adductor injury derailed his hopes and enabled Djokovic to edge through to the last four for the 13th time in Melbourne.

“I feel really sorry for him and he was the far better player, for sure, I was on my way home tonight,” said Djokovic, the fourth seed.

“Being [in the] quarters of a grand slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, I mean so unfortunate.

“I really wish him a speedy recovery and he should have been a winner today, no doubt.”

Djokovic’s gameplan to avoid longer rallies against the silky Italian was not working with Musetti’s greater variety putting him in a strong position.

Djokovic – a 10-time champion here – made 32 unforced errors on what was turning into a nightmare evening until fortune smiled on the Serbian.

“He makes you play – when you think the point is finished, it’s not,” said Djokovic.

“When you attack him, you don’t know what to expect, whether it’s going to be a passing shot, cross-court, or short slice or he’s going to go full flat in your body or just a looping ball to my weakest shot, which is overhead, I think we’ve seen that today again.

“Just wasn’t feeling the ball today the first couple [of] sets but that’s also due to his quality and his variety.

“I’m just extremely lucky to get through this today.”

Djokovic will have to raise his level significantly if he is to reach the final with two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner waiting in the semis.

The Italian was far too good for American Ben Shelton, winning 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Swiatek out while Pegula wins all-American battle

Second seed Iga Swiatek’s hopes of completing the career grand slam on the women’s side will have to wait another 12 months after she was beaten in the quarters by Elena Rybakina.

The Kazakh won 7-5 6-1 with Swiatek’s challenge wilting in the sun.

For Rybakina it was an eighth-straight win against a top-10 opponent and she will take some stopping.

“We know each other pretty well and I was just trying to stay aggressive,” Rybakina said. 

“I feel like in the first set for both of us, the first serve was not really working, so we tried to step in on the second serve, put pressure on each other, and I think in the second I just started to play more free, serve better. I’m just really happy with the win.”

Pegula sees off Anisimova

She will take on Jessica Pegula in the last four.

Pegula edged out Amanda Anisimova 6-2 7-6 (7/1) to continue her mastery against fellow Americans to 14 wins from the last 15 encounters.

“I mean, I’ll take it,” Pegula said when informed of the stat. “I’ll take those bragging rights. I guess it’s something I pride myself a little bit on, especially against some of the younger girls.

“It’s kind of like a ‘hey, you’re not quite there yet’, maybe a little bit – a little nod to that.”