Novak Djokovic will compete in the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev this Friday while defending champion Jannik Sinner takes on Ben Shelton.
Djokovic and German world number two Zverev will open the day at 2:30 PM (0330 GMT) at Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic is eyeing a record 25th Grand Slam title. The Serbian champion performed remarkably to beat 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in four sets during the quarter-finals in Melbourne, despite requiring a medical timeout for his upper left leg and using painkillers to endure the match.
“I’m concerned, honestly, about my physical condition,” Djokovic admitted, having won the Melbourne Park title ten times. “However, if I can maintain my physical fitness, I feel mentally and emotionally as motivated as ever.”
With two full days of rest after his Tuesday match, few doubt Djokovic’s prospects, despite his physical ailments.
Zverev, 27, returns to the semi-finals for the second consecutive year, sharply focused on capturing his first Grand Slam after years of attempts. His previous year’s effort at this stage saw him lose to Daniil Medvedev in five sets after initially leading by two sets, making him cautious of an injured yet formidable Djokovic.
“I’m gearing up for a very intense and high-level match,” Zverev stated.
Djokovic and Zverev have played 12 times, winning eight, including a notable quarter-final win at Melbourne in 2021. In their most recent match, in 2023 at Cincinnati, Djokovic also won in two tightly contested sets.
On the other hand, the world’s number one Italian Sinner enters his semi-final against the 21st seed Shelton as the clear favourite, following a dominant straight-set victory over Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals. However, Shelton’s powerful service presents a significant challenge.
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“He has one of the biggest serves on the tour, and his aggressive play style makes him a versatile opponent,” Sinner observed about the American, who made his second major semi-final appearance after the 2023 US Open.
“It’s going to be a challenging match for both of us,” Sinner added, noting their growing familiarity and past intense matches.
Sinner has won four out of their last five matchups, emphasizing the tough battle ahead for Shelton.
