World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open after overcoming Taylor Fritz 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in a hard-fought battle that lasted nearly three hours and 50 minutes.
Djokovic, who dropped just three games in the quarterfinals in a convincing win over French veteran Adrian Mannarino, had to work his way against the 12th seeded American Fritz, especially in the first two sets. The match started with three break points for the Joker, which he failed to convert. Gradually, Fritz's confidence on the court increased and the fate of the set was decided in a tiebreak, where Nole was more solid to take the lead.
The second set started with an early break for Fritz, which he held until the end to level the score. After a long break before the start of the third set, Djokovic started fresh and finally broke the American's serve on his 16th opportunity. The Serbian took control of events on the court and won the set 6-2. In the fourth, he made a break for 4-2. Fritz broke back, but that was the last effort of the American tennis player. Djokovic broke again and then finished things off in his favour.
The defending champion finished with 20 aces and three double faults, winning 82% of first serve points. The Joker finished with 52 winners and 26 unforced errors, while Fritz, who lost for the ninth time in as many meetings with the Serb, hit 63 winners against 39 unforced errors. In contention for a place in the final, the world No. 1, who has not lost a semi-final in Melbourne in his career, will play the winner of the evening session match between Jannick Sinner and Andrey Rublev. /BGNES
