Even when he seems in danger, Novak Djokovic always finds a way out. Heckled by Taylor Fritz (12th) for two sets, the Djoker let the storm pass before unfolding in the last two sets. He finally won in four sets after a hell of a fight (7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3).
After the meeting, with a little perspective, the Serb will undoubtedly admit it himself: for a long time, Fritz pushed him to his limits. In the first set, in particular, where Djoko had to save two set points at 5-6, before finally resisting and pocketing this first set in the tie-break. Or in the 2nd, where the very solid Fritz, author of a break in the first game, held on to finally fly away at 6-4.
In short, Djoko suffered, Djoko bit on his quid but Djoko (still) managed to emerge. By raising his level of play in hot moments, by tearing away as always on all the balls to disgust the American big shots machine which faced him. Heckled during two sets, he finally took the upper hand, physically and mentally, in the last two to reach the semi-final, not without a few scares (6-2, 6-3 to conclude the match).
To reach a new final at the Australian Open, he will challenge either Andrey Rubleveither Jannik Sinner. A big piece, no matter what…
