Novak Djokovic has qualified for a new final at the Australian Open on February 18, 2021. -
Andy Brownbill / AP / SIPA
Novak Djokovic still feels at home in Melbourne.
The Serb, freed from his abdominal pain, easily beat Thursday the surprising qualifier Aslan Karatsev (6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in just under two hours) in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
He will play his 9th final of the Australian Grand Slam tournament on Sunday, and will aim for ... a 9th title.
“I haven't felt so good the whole tournament, I haven't had any pain, it's my best game so far.
It happens at the right time, I am delighted to feel like that ”, commented the world number 1, who will face the winner of the second semi-final, scheduled for Friday and which opposes Daniil Medvedev (4th) to Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th) .
“I have absolutely no preference,” he said.
Speaking of high level, Medvedev is probably the one who plays at the highest level these last three, four months, ”he said, saying he was going to enjoy watching this half.
“Between the two of them, it's always very intense matches.
I'm going to buy some popcorn and enjoy it, ”Djokovic added.
For his part, with this extraordinary journey at the Australian Open where he notably beat the 9th world Diego Schwartzman, the 19th Félix Auger-Aliassime and the 21st Grigor Dimitrov (physically diminished), Karatsev should make a leap in the ATP ranking. Monday and get closer to the Top 40.
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Novak Djokovic
Australian Open
Tennis
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