Novak Djokovic wins to set up Australian Open semifinal showdown vs. Roger Federer
MELBOURNE, Australia – Novak Djokovic set up the semifinal blockbuster we have all been waiting for Tuesday night, flying past Kei Nishikori in a match that had some scratchy moments in the third set, but in the end belonged to the world No. 1, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The win booked Djokovic a Thursday date with Roger Federer for a spot in the Australian Open final.
Here’s what went down Tuesday night inside Rod Laver Arena:
Scoreline: [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. [7] Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
Djokovic reached his 29th Grand Slam semifinal – and sixth at the Australian Open – with the win, as he seeks to equal Roy Emerson’s record six titles at this event.
What it means: Djokovic and Federer will do battle for a 45th time in their careers when they meet in the semifinals, the head-to-head standing at 22 wins apiece. But Djokovic won five of eight battles last year, including both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals. Federer hasn’t – in fact – beaten Djokovic at a major since Wimbledon in 2012, when they met in the semifinals.
How it happened: Djokovic broke for 4-2 early after Nishikori led 40-love in the sixth game, losing five straight points and double faulting to hand him the lead. It was a bad omen for Nishikori, who never fully looked like himself on this night. Djojkovic would close out the set in just 32 minutes when Nishikori batted a forehand beyond the baseline.
It was much the same in the second, Djokovic breaking for 2-0 and then again for 4-1. Djokovic would win a 12-point eighth game when Nishikori sent another groundstroke long.
Nishikori was treated for what appeared to be a right thigh injury between the second and third sets, though it didn’t seem to hamper him. The two men traded four breaks to start the set, before Djokovic broke in the all-important seventh game, Nishikori cracking a backhand beyond the baseline. Two games later Djokovic closed out the match, blasting a beauty of a crosscourt backhand past Nishikori.
Key stats: It was far too much of an error-filled contest for the No. 7 seed Nishikori, who hit 54 unforced errors when he’s usually rock-solid from the baseline. Djokovic, on the other hand, was certainly rock solid, hitting 22 winners, going six for 11 on break points and winning the overall point count, 99-74. If his were a basketball game, that would be an accurate portrayal of that match’s spread.
What he said: “I had to weather the storm and take my opportunities,” Djokovic said on-court after the win.
Then, addressing the Federer match: “I’ve played Roger 44 times and Rafa [Nadal] 45… It seems like half my career matches are against these guys. It’s always a great challenge against. I’m sure we’re going to have a good match.”
And does his toddler son Stefan watch dad play at home in Monaco? “Yes,” Djokovic said. “And he screams ‘Mama!’ when he sees me on TV. I accept that. It’s pretty cute.”