Novak Djokovic regains his cool to reach 48th major semi-final

Novak Djokovic’s World No.1 ranking is up for grabs at the Australian Open, but he won’t give it up without a fight.

Novak Djokovic is interviewed by Nick Kyrgios after his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz. Picture: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic’s World No.1 ranking is up for grabs at the Australian Open. He will keep it for himself by winning an 11th Norman Brookes Challenge Cup or else the scandalously talented Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and madcap Russian Daniil Medvedev can leave Melbourne Park with top spot tucked in their racquet bags.

Djokovic is assured a 410th week at No.1 if he wins the Open. Alcaraz will take over if he lifts the trophy. If neither Djokovic nor Alcaraz reach the final, Medvedev can pinch the position like a thief in the night of a Fyodor Dostoyevsky novel. Djokovic kept himself at the forefront of the equation by dismantling American Taylor Fritz 7-6, (7/3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win inside Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

Fritz played a near-perfect second set and Djokovic was hot and flustered, taking off his shirt and applying ice packs to his neck and head at changes of ends, but the Serb’s ability to win under most circumstances again came to the fore. The 24-time major champion reached his 48th slam semi-final, where meets the winner of the late-night clash between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Russia’s Andre’s Rublev.

Another long evening at the office was on the cards for patrons at Melbourne Park. The women’s match between Aryna Sabalenka and Barbora Krejcikova was slated for a 7pm start. It was going to commence until after 9pm.

Djokovic resembled a vulnerable and worried man. Yet again he was an ironman. Fritz looked to be struggling with a slight ankle issue but his biggest problem was Djokovic’s knack of playing his best points on the biggest points. If he relinquishes his World No.1 ranking this week, he won’t do it without a fight.

Ironman. Even when he’s not necessarily the best player, he wins anyway. Djokovic looked home and hosed at 4-2 in the fourth set. Dropped his serve but not his bundle. Ran through the next couple of games as a matter of business. The scoreboard looked close but the result felt inevitable.