Defiant defending champion Novak Djokovic just refuses to loosen his grip on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
MORE: All the scores from Day 9 at AO 2021
The eight-time Australian Open winner is just two steps away from major No.18, after a grueling 6-7(6) 6-2 6-4 7-6(6) quarterfinal victory over Alexander Zverev on Tuesday night.
The world No.1 advances to take on Russia’s surprise package Aslan Karatsev in the semifinals.
“Down to the very last shot, it was anybody’s match. A lot of nerves and pressure out there. Emotionally I feel drained,” revealed the relieved top seed.
“It really was a rollercoaster of a match. It was a great battle. We pushed each other to the limit. If he had won this match, it wouldn’t have been undeserved.
“After the first set I started moving better, playing better, I served extremely well. I think I had slightly more aces than him, which is a miracle for me against a big server like Sascha.”
Zverev was exceptionally sharp from the start, setting up camp to grind out the rallies, teasing the errors from the ailing top seed for an instant break.
Rapid serving over 200km/h kept the 23-year-old in charge, pressing with all-round pace and depth. By contrast, Djokovic was impatient on strike, taking plenty of risks.
At 5-3, Zverev smirked in delight as a missile backhand down the line helped earn set point. That chance was dismissed by Djokovic and, having prevailed in a mammoth rally, he restored scoreboard parity.
The German won the first-set tiebreak during his eventual defeat by Djokovic at ATP Cup earlier this month, and another was required on Rod Laver Arena.
It was a scintillating sequence of points; the world No.7 was bold, transferring forward. Big-time tennis, with a big-time point. Zverev then threw in a smart looping body serve to shock the Serbian and steal away the opener, the clock ticking onto the hour mark.
The world No.1 has been dogged and defiant all fortnight, flicking a delicious disguised backhand lob en route to consolidating an immediate 2-0 break lead.
A dialed-in Djokovic clattered a series of scorching shots and sauntered through his service games each around the minute mark.
With 10 winners and only two unforced errors, the top seed was level within 29 minutes.
Once again Zverev, seeking a first-ever victory over a top-10 player on the major stage, capitalised upon disjointed passages from Djokovic for an early lead.
A rocket inside-out forehand winner fended off a break point, before a booming ace posted 4-1 on the scoreboard in the sixth seed’s favour.
Zverev knew there couldn’t be any let-up; you have to put away the best when they’re down. However, the German’s serve and forehand flew off radar, whereas the 17-time Grand Slam champion became re-engaged, refusing to miss, sprinting through five successive games to take the set.
Despite his 2020 double-fault demons returning, Zverev was up 3-0, but that advantage was soon dissolved.
The closing stages saw a flurry of pulsating points. Prolonged rallies, deft drop shots, and at 5-6 Djokovic, in a stance like an alpine skier, flicked a defensive backhand winner – one for the time capsule.
As stated by the top seed, the serving was clutch, sending down a 22nd ace to erase a Zverev set point. A compelling tiebreak ensued with tense exchanges providing an absorbing conclusion.
Ace No.23 provided a fitting ending, the defending champion responding in style to post his 80th match win at Melbourne Park.
The relief was obvious post-match, with Djokovic still managing an abdominal muscle tear. Russian qualifier Karatsev, on his Grand Slam debut, has the daunting task of taking down Djokovic in his ninth Australian Open semifinal.
“I haven’t been practising in the days off, I’m going to keep doing the same and hopefully the result will be the same,” stated the Serbian, ahead of facing world No.114 Karatsev.
MORE: Karatsev makes history with run to semis
“I hadn’t seen him play at all before the Australian Open; of course I’ve seen him during the Australian Open.
“Very strong guy, moves well. Just has a lot of firepower from the back of the court. Great backhand, obviously from the Russian school of tennis, always great there. He serves well.
“He’s in really good form, he’s motivated and obviously has nothing to lose. I’m looking forward to it.”
Chasing Grand Slam No.18 and an unprecedented ninth Australian Open crown, Djokovic has plenty to lose. So far this fortnight, he’s refused to do just that.