Djokovic beats his ninth crown in Australia

Djokovic barely made an unforced error in just over 50 minutes.

It was even for the first seven games until Djokovic won eight points in a row to take the opening set – and again when Karatsev decided to take a chance in the second.

Sensing that the lower-ranking rival could get the encouragement of those present – the Rod Laver arena opened its doors to a boisterous group of spectators after a five-day ban due to the confinement ordered by an outbreak of his rival with partial 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

The Serbian star is 9-0 in the semis of the first Grand Slam of the season, and is on the verge of a victory from claiming his ninth crown in Australia.

“The more I earn, the more I like to come back,” said the world’s number one. “The idyll continues.”

Djokovic will be free on Friday when Daniil Medvedev (4th seeded) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th), who has just won a five-set battle against Rafael Nadal, meet in the other semi-final. Djokovic said that he will prepare some popcorn to watch the game that will define his rival in the final on Sunday.

Given his successful track record in Melbourne, Djokovic must be very excited about another final. He already holds the record for tournament titles, with eight. He is on 18th in the big events, which will reduce the gap that separates him from Roger Federer and Nadal, owners of the historical record of 20.

At 33, Djokovic wants to become just the second man to win nine or more titles in one of the Big Four. Nadal owns 13 at Roland Garros. Djokovic, in Australia, and Federer, with eight at Wimbledon, share second place.

“Recovery is the priority right now,” said Djokovic. “I’ve already had a good match shooting, enough practice time.”

“Now everything is a question of reserving the necessary energy for the most important match of the Australian Open,” he added.