Novak Djokovic — whose father was absent from Rod Laver Arena — has won his Australian Open semifinal, setting up a clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the tournament decider.
Key points:
- Novak Djokovic got past American Tommy Paul with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 victory
- The Serb’s father chose not to attend the match
- Djokovic will reclaim the world number one ranking if he beats Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final
His father, Srdjan Djokovic, decided not to attend the match after he appeared with a group of spectators who were holding a banned Russian flag — superimposed with Vladimir Putin’s face — outside Melbourne Park on Wednesday night.
Via a statement released on Friday afternoon, Mr Djokovic said he would “watch from home” so there was “no disruption” to the semifinal.
A seat in his son’s player’s box was noticeably empty as the nine-time Australian Open winner defeated unseeded Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.
The Serb appeared to lose focus during the first set, but recovered to earn safe passage through to the final, despite a brave performance from his younger, American opponent.
Djokovic was not asked about the absence of his father during his on-court interview after the match, but he paid tribute to his family and support team.
“I know that, without my family, without my team, things wouldn’t be possible,” he said.
“We have to give credit where credit is due and that’s the team that day in, day out, lives with me through my good and bad moments.
“I thank them for their support and this is their success as much as it is mine.”
Earlier on Friday, third-seeded Tsitsipas advanced to the final after defeating Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3.
Djokovic beat Greece’s Tsitsipas over five sets in a dramatic 2021 French Open final.
Whoever wins Sunday night’s final on Rod Laver Arena will replace Carlos Alcaraz as world number one.
If Djokovic is victorious, he will join Rafael Nadal with 22 major single titles, which is the men’s all-time record.
Djokovic appeared nervous in the opening game of the first set, as Paul twice had a break point on his opponent’s serve.
However, the 21-time major champion held and then settled into his rhythm as he proceeded to establish a 5-1 lead.
It was during the seventh game — when he had a set point — that Djokovic let his emotions boil over after he got involved in a dispute with chair umpire Damien Dumusois over his use of a towel between points.
It appeared the 35-year-old’s concentration was rattled, as Paul broke serve to win the first of four consecutive games that saw him level the set at 5-5.
Djokovic was able to stem the tide in the 11th game when he held, as his fans chanted his nickname ‘Nole’ around the centre-court stadium.
The chant resumed after Djokovic broke Paul’s serve in the next game to claim the first set, with the former world number one pumping his left fist in the air as if he was conducting the crowd’s response.
Djokovic dominated the second set, although Paul – who had never been past the fourth round of a major prior to this year’s Australian Open — refused to lie down.
He showed fight in the second game when he was down two break points, wiping out the first with a splendid cross-court forehand winner, before Djokovic converted on the second.
Paul had three break points in the following game, however each was saved by Djokovic as he held for a 3-0 lead.
Serving at 0-5 down, Paul held to avoid a ‘bagel’, but it delayed the inevitable as Djokovic closed out the set in the seventh game.
The third set was one-way traffic, with Djokovic snaring a double-break as he leapt out to a 4-0 advantage.
Paul got on the board in the third by holding serve in the fifth game, however Djokovic could not be stopped on his way to securing a straight-sets win.