Novak Djokovic continues his love affair with the Australian Open as the peerless Siberian has yet again stormed into the final of year’s first grand slam.
Much like Nadal’s mastery of clay or Federer’s class on the grass,Novak is a beast on the Australian Open turf. And while this year’s tournament was much different than earlier editions with quarantine woes and corona chaos, the sight of a rejuvenated Novak Djokovic in the final goes a long way in saying that all is finally well.
Novak Djokovic made quick work of the Russian sensation Aslan Karatsev in a straight-sets 6-3,6-4,6-2 win.
Novak ends Karatsev’s dream run-
The 33-year-old Serb, showing no ill-effects from an abdomen injury sustained in the third round, overwhelmed the 114th-ranked Karatsev 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach his 28th Grand Slam final.
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“This is the best I’ve felt in the entire tournament,” said Djokovic, who hit 30 winners and 17 aces.
“I could swing through the ball. No pain. The best match so far.”
Djokovic, 34, remains on course for his 18th Grand Slam trophy, nipping at the heels of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are on 20.
In his way will be either fourth seed Daniil Medvedev or Nadal’s conqueror Stefanos Tsitispas, the fifth seed, a clash Djokovic said he was eagerly anticipating.
“I’m going to take the popcorn and enjoy it,” he said. “I absolutely have zero preference.
“I thought Stefanos did incredibly well to hang in there because Rafa was playing amazing,” added Djokovic.
“Medvedev is the guy. He is playing at the highest level the last three months.”Novak concluded
On the other hand, Aslan Karatsev would leave the tournament with his head held high after becoming the first man in the Open era to reach a semi-final on his Grand Slam debut and achieving three top 20 victories on the way.
“That I can play with everyone,” he said when asked what he had learned from the Melbourne tournament.
“To be there and to compete with everyone. I think it’ll help me a lot during my career… It gives me more experience, more confidence.“
Medvedev and Tsitsipas battle to meet Novak-
Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Daniil Medvedev for a place in the Australian Open final, where eight-time winner Novak Djokovic awaits.
Greece’s Tsitsipas once riled Medvedev by calling him “boring”, but he now considers the in-form Russian “smart”. The pair first met on court at Miami in 2018 and have played six times, with Medvedev leading their series with five wins.
The match is due to start at 7:30 Melbourne local time, with the two youngsters vying for their maiden grand slam title.
On the other hand,Jennifer Brady has defeated Karolina Muchova to set up a meeting with three time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open Women’s singles finals.
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