Djokovic reaches Australian Open semifinal in dramatic and unexpected fashion after Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire injured despite holding a commanding lead in their quarterfinal clash at Melbourne Park. The abrupt ending stunned spectators and left Novak Djokovic advancing under circumstances he himself described as “extremely lucky.”
The Australian Open quarterfinal on Wednesday looked set for a major upset as Musetti dominated the early stages, but a sudden groin injury turned the contest on its head, allowing the Serbian great to remain alive in his pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
Musetti Takes Control as Djokovic Falters Early
From the opening games, Lorenzo Musetti imposed himself with confidence and clarity. The fifth-seeded Italian controlled rallies, exploited angles, and consistently forced Djokovic into uncharacteristic errors. Djokovic struggled badly with timing, particularly off his forehand side, piling up unforced errors at a rate rarely seen from the 10-time Australian Open champion.
Musetti claimed the first set 6-4 after applying sustained pressure and breaking serve at a crucial moment. The second set followed a similar pattern, with the Italian breaking early and maintaining composure as Djokovic failed to steady himself.
By the end of the second set, which Musetti won 6-3, the atmosphere inside Rod Laver Arena suggested an upset was imminent. Djokovic appeared frustrated, error-prone, and increasingly outmatched by Musetti’s precision and movement.
Injury Changes the Course of the Match
The turning point came early in the third set. With Djokovic leading 3-1, Musetti requested medical attention after showing visible discomfort in his upper right leg. After receiving treatment, he attempted to continue, but his mobility was clearly compromised.
Musetti struggled to move laterally and could no longer chase down balls with the same intensity that had dismantled Djokovic earlier. After a brief attempt to push on, the Italian made the difficult decision to retire, ending the match while still leading 6-4, 6-3.
The sudden conclusion left the crowd in shock, aware that the outcome had been decided by injury rather than tennis.
Djokovic Admits Fortune Played a Role
Djokovic was quick to acknowledge that he had been outplayed for much of the match. Speaking after the contest, the Serbian legend expressed sympathy for Musetti and admitted that his own tournament survival came down to luck.
“I feel really sorry for him,” Djokovic said. “He was the far better player. I was on my way home tonight. This is extremely unfortunate, and I am extremely lucky to get through.”
The honesty of his comments reflected the unusual nature of the victory, which lacked the dominance typically associated with Djokovic at Melbourne Park.
Historic Records Continue Despite Struggles
Despite the difficult performance, Djokovic quietly added another milestone to his legendary career. The win marked his 103rd singles victory at the Australian Open, surpassing Roger Federer for the most match wins at the tournament.
It also sent him into a record-extending 54th Grand Slam semifinal, reinforcing his status as one of the most consistent performers in tennis history. However, the match also raised concerns about his form as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Djokovic finished the contest with an unusually high unforced error count, a statistic that may trouble him ahead of the semifinals.
25th Grand Slam Dream Remains Alive
The result ensures that Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title continues. Since winning the US Open in 2023, the Serbian has openly targeted the historic milestone, but younger rivals have made the path increasingly difficult.
With the rise of players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic has faced tougher resistance at the latter stages of majors. His semifinal opponent will be either defending champion Jannik Sinner or American eighth seed Ben Shelton, both of whom present a significant challenge.
To lift the trophy, Djokovic will likely need a sharp improvement in consistency and aggression.
Musetti’s Performance Signals a Breakthrough
While the injury overshadowed the result, Musetti’s performance was one of the standout displays of the tournament. His ability to control points, absorb pressure, and dictate play against one of the greatest players of all time earned widespread praise.
Many analysts believe Musetti’s showing confirmed his readiness to compete regularly at the highest level. Although his Australian Open journey ended prematurely, the Italian leaves Melbourne with renewed belief and growing respect across the tennis world.
Medical assessments will determine the severity of his injury, but his display against Djokovic will not be forgotten.
An Uncomfortable Victory in Melbourne
Djokovic reaches Australian Open semifinal, but the manner of advancement offered little room for celebration. The abrupt ending served as a reminder of how fragile momentum can be at the elite level of sport.
As the Australian Open moves closer to its conclusion, Djokovic remains in contention, carrying both the weight of history and the knowledge that fortune played a role in his survival. Whether he can raise his level in the semifinals will determine if this unexpected lifeline leads to another chapter of greatness.
This report is part of FFRNEWS Sports coverage, tracking major developments from global tennis and international sporting events. Match details and post-match reactions are based on reporting by Al Jazeera, which covered Djokovic’s quarterfinal victory and Musetti’s injury in Melbourne.
