Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record Grand Slam title continued in dramatic circumstances after fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti quit their Australian Open quarter-final match with an injury after taking a two-set lead at Melbourne Park on yesterday.
Musetti’s retirement when leading 6-4 6-3 1-3 meant Djokovic pulled off a great escape at his most successful hunting ground, with the 10-times champion’s bid for a standalone 25th major to break the tie with Margaret Court still alive.
The 38-year-old Serb returned to action after an extended break following fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik’s walkover on Sunday, and his freshness showed during a sharp start where he brought plenty of variety and grabbed an early break.
But some loose points thereafter allowed Musetti to level at 2-2 and the Italian then surged past Djokovic for the first time in the contest with an overhead shot before comfortably wrapping up the opening set on serve.
Fiery winners from both flanks helped Musetti break in the opening game of the next set, and though the 23-year-old let the advantage slip immediately, he edged in front again and soon doubled his lead in the match, to leave Djokovic on the ropes.
Djokovic soldiered on following treatment for a foot blister and went 2-1 up with a break in the third, when it was Musetti’s turn to call the trainer to the court for what appeared like a right thigh issue.
Musetti looked to manage the problem and play on but he was far from 100 percent and threw in the towel a game later to gasps from the Rod Laver Arena crowd, handing Djokovic his 103rd match win at the tournament to eclipse Roger Federer’s mark.
Djokovic faces the winner of the quarter-final between defending champion Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton.
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina booked her place in the Australian Open semi-finals same day with a dominant second set display to hand six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek a 7-5 6-1 defeat at Melbourne Park.
Looking to lift the trophy for the first time, the 28-year-old will take on American Jessica Pegula for a place in Saturday’s final.-Reuters
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