Serbian Novak Djokovic was more relieved of his stomach ache and beat the German Alexander Zverev 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4 and 7-6 (6) at the Australian Open to take on the Russian and revelation player of the tournament Aslan Karatsev.
World No. 1 reached the semifinals in Melbourne Park for the ninth time and equaled Australian John Bromwich in third place in a standings led by Swiss Roger Federer who played 15 times in that case.
Whenever he has reached the Australian Open semi-finals, Djokovic has won the tournament.
“I need time to warm up in these circumstances. I was very lucky with that ‘break’ in the third and from there I have improved a lot, ”he said after a meeting that lasted more than three and a half hours.
It will be the first time he will face a Karatsev who continues without waking up from the dream he is going through by becoming the first player to reach a semi-final on his debut in ‘major’ competition.
‘I had never seen him play before. Physically very strong, he moves very well. He has a big setback, ”he warned of the potential of his next rival.