Novak Djokovic sets up Daniil Medvedev semi-final clash in Adelaide after battling past Denis Shapovalov
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ByEurosport
Updated 06/01/2023 at 12:40 GMT
Novak Djokovic had to work hard to defeat Denis Shapovalov in one hour and 55 minutes as his preparations for the Australian Open continue to go smoothly. Djokovic, who is bidding to win his 10th Australian Open title in Melbourne, will play Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the Adelaide International after the Russian beat compatriot Karen Khachanov in straight sets earlier on Friday.
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Novak Djokovic has progressed to the semi-finals of the Adelaide International after a hard-fought 6-3 6-4 win over Canada's Denis Shapovalov.
Djokovic, who received a warm welcome back to Australia following his deportation from the country before last year's Australian Open due to not being vaccinated for Covid-19, will play world No. 7 Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
The tournament is acting as perfect preparation for Djokovic for the Australian Open as he looks to win his 10th title in Melbourne and extend his overall Grand Slam record to 22.
Djokovic says he will be preparing for a long match against Medvedev on Saturday.
"When you play Daniil you have to be ready to go the distance," he said. "Physically, mentally, game-wise he's definitely one of the best players in the world for the last five years.
"He's established himself. He's a Grand Slam winner. He's former No. 1 in the world. He's someone I respect a lot.
"We've had some amazing battles over the years and we're hoping for another good battle tomorrow."
The match got off to a gruelling start with Djokovic eventually able to take a 3-2 lead after 45 minutes of play.
The first break of the contest arrived when Shapovalov essentially broke himself. Three double-faults followed by a mid-court forehand error saw Djokovic move into a 5-3 lead before the world No. 1 reeled off the last eight points to take the first set in 61 minutes.
Momentum appeared to be firmly with Djokovic, who broke the Shapovalov serve in the third game, but a poor string of errors from the Serb saw him squander a 40-0 lead and the Canadian levelled to make it 3-3.
Shapovalov fended off two break points in the very next game, but after a comfortable love hold of serve from Djokovic, the 35-year-old got the break he was looking for.
Djokovic converted his first match point with a sliced volley at the net, extending his head-to-head record against Shapovalov to 8-0, and setting up a meeting with Medvedev for the third time in four months.
Medvedev has reached the last two Australian Open finals. The Russian lost to Rafael Nadal in a five-set epic in the 2022 edition, squandering a two-set lead.
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