MELBOURNE — The Australian Open quarter-finals concluded in dramatic and often heartbreaking fashion on Wednesday, as ten-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the semi-finals by the narrowest of margins following an injury to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic Rides His Luck
In a match that looked destined to end in a shock exit for the world number one, Lorenzo Musetti dominated the opening stages, playing what many described as the best tennis of his career. The fifth seed raced to a commanding 6-4, 6-3 lead, leaving Djokovic looking uncharacteristically out of sorts.
However, the momentum shifted cruelly in the third set when Musetti suffered an upper right leg injury. After receiving medical treatment and attempting to play through the pain, the Italian was forced to retire while trailing 3-1 in the third set.
“He was by far the better player, I was on my way home tonight,” a candid Djokovic admitted during his on-court interview. “It’s so unfortunate. He should have been the winner today, no doubt. I am extremely lucky to get through.”
The victory keeps Djokovic’s bid for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title alive. He now moves into his 54th major semi-final, where he will face the winner of the blockbuster clash between defending champion Jannik Sinner and American power-hitter Ben Shelton.
Rybakina Ends Swiatek’s Slam Dream
In the women’s draw, Elena Rybakina delivered a clinical performance to dismantle Iga Swiatek’s hopes of completing a career Grand Slam. The Kazakhstani fifth seed powered through the encounter with a 7-5, 6-1 victory at Rod Laver Arena.
Rybakina’s relentless serve and baseline aggression proved too much for the world number two, who struggled to find answers in a one-sided second set. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, now looks like a heavy favorite as she returns to the semi-finals in Melbourne for the first time since 2023.
Pegula Sets Up Semi-Final Showdown
Rybakina will face Jessica Pegula for a place in the final. The American sixth seed reached her first-ever Australian Open semi-final by defeating compatriot Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6(1).
Pegula, who has been remarkably consistent throughout the tournament, overcame a spirited second-set fightback from Anisimova to dominate the tiebreak and secure her spot in the final four.
Semi-Final Lineup (Selected)
| Matchup | Status |
| Novak Djokovic vs. Sinner/Shelton | Men’s Semi-Final |
| Elena Rybakina vs. Jessica Pegula | Women’s Semi-Final |
| Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina | Women’s Semi-Final |
