Novak Djokovic survives but in injury doubt

Australian Open favourite Novak Djokovic has survived a major scare at Melbourne Park on an extraordinary night for the tournament when edging Taylor Fritz in five sets.

Serbian Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against American Taylor Fritz on Friday night. Picture: AFP

Australian Open favourite Novak Djokovic has survived a major scare at Melbourne Park on an extraordinary night for the tournament when edging Taylor Fritz in five sets.

But the question will be whether the Serbian is in any condition to continue his title defence on Sunday against Canadian Milos Raonic given he was clearly hindered in his third round triumph with a stomach injury.

The world No 1 progressed 7-6 (1) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2 in a match that was delayed in the fourth set when fans, some of whom had been abusing Djokovic, were booted from the stadium due to the curfew that has been placed on Victoria due to COVID-19.

The eight-time Australian Open champion will assess the situation on Saturday. But he was not able to carry his bags from the court, asking staff for assistance as he left after confirming in an on-court interview that he had a muscle tear.

“I was just praying and hoping that somehow it would get better and I would be able to win the match, which somehow it happened,” he said.

“Right now, I know it is a tear, definitely, of the muscle. I don’t know if I will step out on the court or not. I am very proud of the achievement. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

On an extraordinary night in Melbourne, play was suspended at 11.31pm on Rod Laver Arena until fans evacuated the main stadium of Melbourne Park.

The announcement by umpire John Blom was met by sustained booing and chants from some crowd members declaring they “wanted a refund”.

A Victorian government edict required residents of the state to be home by 11.59pm.

It occurred with Djokovic in clear physical pain as he dealt with a stomach muscle injury while leading by two sets to one but trailing in the fourth.

The break lasted for just over eight minutes, meaning play started immediately with Fritz to serve leading 3-2 in the fourth set.

The difference was immediately apparent. Not a sound greeted the very next point. Nor will that occur over the next five days, at the very least, with crowds now banned from attending.

The noise, by and large, was a pleasure to hear while it lasted.

The only positive about the melancholy moment is that it put a stop to the invective directed towards Djokovic by a portion of the sparse crowd in attendance. So much for the “Happy Slam”.

Like Djokovic or loathe him, lockdown or not, it is poor form to boo a player who was clearly injured, even if the Serbian managed to find a way to win again.

Djokovic first called for medical assistance while trailing 1-2 in the third set, where he received treatment to his abdomen. He subsequently required treatment on several occasions and grabbed at his right side on a frequent basis.

Djokovic was clearly hindered when it came to striking both his serve and also his forehand when stretched wide.

Against a rival as talented as Fritz, it was not long before even the world’s best was on the back foot as a result, with his hopes appearing forlorn.

With the problem on the right side of his stomach, Djokovic was simply unable to reach up to hit a kicking serve, the safer option.

The 17-time major champion instead could deliver only flat or slicing serves, which lessened the margin for error. He effectively went for broke on every serve or shot.

Perhaps not surprisingly given his usual precision, enough landed for him to stay with the 27th seed as he sought to pull off a miracle at Melbourne Park.

Somehow, against the momentum of the match, he landed a forehand winner to break serve for a 4-2 lead in the final set and closed it out soon after.

“I just tried to stay in there. I was hopeful that whatever is happening there is going to feel better and towards the end of the fourth it started to feel better,” he said.

“I was just going for my shots, hitting two first serves, and it worked. It is definitely one of the more special wins in my life, it doesn’t matter what round it is or against who, to be able to pull through it is (very special).”