Novak Djokovic races into Australian Open semi-final with dominant win over Andrey Rublev

With Novak Djokovic, what you see is what you get, and if you don’t like it, that’s your loss because anyone still obsessing with his faults is missing out on something special.

Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

The only way to truly appreciate the genius of Novak Djokovic is to ignore his character flaws and just sit back and enjoy the show.

Unlike his old rival Roger Federer, Djokovic is never going to win any popularity contests because he’s too moody and too feisty and too stubborn to satisfy everyone so he’s given up trying to be everyone’s best mate.

With Djokovic, what you see is what you get, and if you don’t like it, that’s your loss because anyone still obsessing with his faults - and he has a few - is missing out on something special.

His performances at this Australian Open have been nothing short of masterful and a testament to his unwavering determination and self belief.

Whether you agree with his views on vaccination or not, or the federal government’s decision to deport him from Australia last year, it’s impossible not to marvel at the way he’s responded.

He’s now safely through to his 44th grand slam semi-final and his 10th at Melbourne Park after destroying Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-1 6-2 6-4 on Wednesday and is odds-on to win another title.

Novak Djokovic was at his feisty best on Wednesday night. Picture: AFP Images

He still needs to win two more matches, against unseeded American Tommy Paul then either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Karen Khachanov so nothing is guaranteed yet.

But it would take a seismic shock for him not to get his hands on the trophy again because every time he’s made the semis at the Australian Open, he’s gone on to win the final.

Like his fourth round opponent Alex de Minaur, Rublev was easy prey for Djokovic, whose biggest problem seemed to be dealing with hecklers in the crowd, the chair umpire and the windy conditions on Rod Laver Arena.

He also looked like he was feeling some pain in his left hamstring, though not enough to stop him after he revealed he’d been getting a lot of treatment.

“I’ve been connected to machines more than I have been connected to anyone else in the days off. I have tried any biofeedback machine there is on this planet to get my leg ready, and it worked.

“I’m going to keep going. I miss tennis on the days off but I think it’s important to be smart and wise with the body in these circumstances where it’s more important to recover and get ready for the next challenge.”

Djokovic has never played Paul before but said he was confident of beating him.

“Obviously he doesn’t have much to lose, first time in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam,” Djokovic said.

Can anyone stop Djokovic? Picture: AFP Images

“I’ve got to be ready for the match, not approach it any way differently than I have the last couple of matches.

“If I play this way I think I have a good chance to go through.”

The biggest laugh Djokovic did get - but not the one he wanted - was when he reminded the crowd at his on-court interview that he lost his first grand slam final, against Federer at the US Open in 2007.

The Swiss master was adored by everyone in Australia and Djokovic knows he will never enjoy the same adoration but he still played along.

“Tennis misses him for sure,” Djokovic said.

“I‘ve seen him dressing up very sharply for Fashion Week. I’ve seen him skiing. I want to challenge him for a little skiing race in few years time

“He‘s enjoying life for sure. It’s nice to see that. Obviously for tennis, he’s been one of the most important players ever to play the game.”

‘SHUT UP’: DJOKOVIC BLASTS ‘DRUNK’ HECKLERS

Novak Djokovic has again taken aim at Melbourne Park hecklers, demanding the umpire step in during his match with Russian Andrey Rublev.

As he was racing through the opening set, Djokovic approached the umpire and was picked up by the on-court microphones saying, “Can you tell these drunk guys to shut up?”

He continued: “Every single point … Every single point you’re not reacting. Ten times already.”

Djokovic was heckled in his previous match on Rod Laver Arena, with a group of fans dressed as ‘Where’s Wally’ characters kicked out.

It wasn’t the only heated moment of the opening hour, with Djokovic also taking aim at his player box after dropping an early game in the second set.

Djokovic failed to return a deep ball from Rublev at 1-1 and then turned to his coach Goran Ivanisevic and let out an almighty spray.

It prompted Australian tennis great John Fitzgerald to question Djokovic’s antics.

“Is he angrier on the court than he used to be?,” Fitzgerald asked in commentary.

“What is it with human nature that … has a crack at your team? Because I don’t get it. I never have.

“I guess he is a perfectionist.”

However, Djokovic hasn’t been the only one in a fiery mood.

Rublev has had two outbursts of his own during the second set.

The first was directed at the umpire after he thought Djokovic got away with taking too much time in-between serves at a crucial moment when he was trying to break.

The second was after he went down 5-2, screaming “So bad” after giving up a break on his own serve.

EARLY INJURY TWEAK? ALL EYES ON NOVAK’S HAMSTRING

All eyes are on Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena as he continues his push for a stunning 10th Australian Open title.

But it isn’t just his level of play that is under the microscope.

His hamstring is once again on the agenda as the Serbian superstar battles his body as well as Russian Andrey Rublev.

So far Djokovic has looked relatively comfortable, breaking Rublev early in the opening set.

But there are some early concerns over his fitness, with Australian doubles great Mark Woodforde noticing a potential issue with Djokovic’s leg.

“I think he may have tweaked his leg already … in that last game,” Woodforde said in commentary for SEN.

There have been no official stoppages or medical timeouts yet.

BRUTAL WARNING: ILL-FATED LUNGE COULD END NOVAK’S OPEN

Novak Djokovic and his suspect hamstring are “not out of the risk zone at all” and one ill-fated lunge could cost him a record 10th Australian Open and 22nd grand slam.

Respected sports medical expert Dr Peter Larkins declared Djokovic’s hamstring injury was real – but not a tear – and believed the Serbian star favoured his right leg “quite dramatically” against Australian Alex de Minaur on Monday night.

“If you watch it quite closely he really does a lot of stuff off the right leg and he gets his left leg off the ground quickly,” Larkins told News Corp.

“But the bottom line is it’s not a structural injury. It’s probably some neural or nerve-related pain.

“He was hitting really powerful shots to not allow Alex to run him around too much, which meant he was making sure he stayed mid-court as much as possible.

“It’s not a structural or torn hamstring, but he’s getting hamstring pain. That’s why the anti-inflammatories work, the strapping reminds him to be careful.”

The No. 4 seed is a $1.45 favourite to lift the trophy on Sunday night despite needing to win another nine sets in the next five days.

Djokovic did not book a practice court on Monday and Larkins said as fatigue grows his chance of suffering a tear will increase.

“When you’ve got nerve pain that might be coming from the nerve in the hamstring or dare I say even his back above then … it’s not going to get better as the tournament goes deeper,” Larkins said.

“In fact, the risk gets higher because fatigue comes in and arguably the players he’s playing are going to test him out a bit more.

“It’s different if he had a little strain and a week goes by and it’s gradually healing with physio.

“This is more a pain management issue rather than a healing issue and they’re obviously managing the pain really well, because I think he’s adapted his game.”

TOMMY PAUL BOOKS SURPRISE SF SPOT

Scott Gullan

For the first time since 2009 the USA has an Australian Open men’s semi-finalist with Tommy Paul winning the battle of the surprise packets.

You could have written your own ticket about having two unseeded Americans facing off in the quarter-finals at the start of the tournament but it was Paul who took bragging rights over Ben Shelton 7-6 (6) 6-3 5-7 6-4.

There was history being made everywhere for the all-American match-up with Andy Roddick the last to represent the Stars and Stripes in a grand slam semi-final at Melbourne Park back in 2009.

The last time two Americans met in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open was when Roddick played Mardy Fish back in 2007.

There has been a revolution from the USA in both the men’s and women’s at this year’s Australian Open with Paul, who is ranked No. 35 in the world, the last one standing.

While he deserves all the accolades, the performance of left-handed Shelton, 20, screamed star in the making.

The NCAA champion, who is ranked No. 89 in the world, had never been out of America before and had to get a passport just before flying to Australia for what was just his second grand slam appearance.

Paul, 25, made sure he praised Shelton’s performance immediately after the 3hr 6min contest on Rod Laver Arena.

“I’m really happy to get through that match, there was not too much rhythm about it but everyone should be really excited for that kid (Shelton),” Paul said.

“This is my first time on this court, my first time in quarters finals of a slam and for Ben Shelton it’s his first time leaving the States so I think he had a good trip as well.

“Yesterday I was doing a couple of interviews about being in the quarter-finals and I was like semi-finals sounds a little better and I’m pumped to be there.

“Making the second week of a Slam, that is everyone’s dream when they start playing tennis. I can’t believe I am here right now.”

AUSSIE WILDCARDS UPSET NO. 1 SEEDS IN HUGE OPEN SHOCK

The Special Ks and their trademark chest bump has been taken over by a new pair of wildcard wizards that are blitzing the Australian Open.

Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler rolled the No. 1 men’s seeds on Wednesday to book their place in the semi-finals almost 12 months on from Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis taking the doubles world by storm.

Unlike the Special Ks, who are best mates off the court, this year’s pairing has an eight-year age gap with their charge perhaps even more surprising.

But Wednesday’s 6-3 6-1 demolition of Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski was clinical. The Australians did not concede a break point and they will now battle the No. 8 seeds for a place in this year’s final.

It took just over an hour to roll the title favourites on Kia Arena.

Hijikata, 21, won a five-set epic in round 1 of the singles draw before falling to semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rod Laver Arena.

‘I WAS JEALOUS’: AUS OPEN STAR’S LOCKDOWN ENVY

Unseeded Australian Open semi-finalist Magda Linette has recovered from the “most painful experience of her life” to reignite her singles career.

Guaranteed a new career high ranking of at least 22nd in the world next week, Linette could not contain her emotions as she beat Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 7-5 to reach the semi-finals at Melbourne Park.

It’s not been an easy road for the Pole. Two years ago she was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open with a knee injury which consumed the following six months of her life.

It took doctors 11 weeks to finally diagnose the need for meniscus surgery. A five month lay-off followed.

As she watched her peers banished to isolation and Covid hotels around Melbourne amid the global pandemic in 2021, Linette admits she felt envy not sympathy.

“It was honestly the most painful experience of my life,” the 30-year-old said of the knee injury.

“Nobody could diagnose me for almost 11 weeks, so I was out for total of five months. I had meniscus surgery, but because it was kind of tricky where the injury was, nobody could really see what was happening.

“Literally one day before my flight (to Australia in 2021), the pain and the uncomfortable feeling that I had came back with, like, some extra force.

“It came back, (I) did the surgery, basically next day withdrew. Had already my flight, had my hotel room.

“(I) Listened to everybody complaining about the isolation, and I was so jealous that they had to do it, because I really wanted to be there.”

3:10PM WOMEN’S SEMIS ARE SET

Aryna Sabalenka powered into the Australian Open semi-finals by beating Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2 in a 1hr 49min battle on Rod Laver Arena.

The Belarusian fifth seed, the highest-ranked player left in the draw, will play unseeded Magda Linette for a place in Saturday’s final.

“She’s a great player,” said Sabalenk who remains undefeated in 2023 and is yet to drop a set.

“It is tough to play against her. I think … I don’t know. I was – kind of expecting this game from her. I was able to stay in the game, no matter what. I think that was the key.”

2:14PM WHAT IS BEHIND USA RESURGENCE?

American men’s tennis is witnessing a resurgence with an unlikely trio all making a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time since 2005, and they are thriving off each others success.

Ahead of the Australian Open, world number nine Taylor Fritz and 17th-ranked Frances Tiafoe were the names on everyone’s lips after they led the United States to glory in the inaugural mixed teams United Cup.

But it has been lesser-known players Ben Shelton, JJ Wolf, Sebastian Korda and Tommy Paul who have grabbed the spotlight in a sign of renewed strength and depth in the men’s game.

Two of them, former college standouts Shelton and Wolf, surged into the last 16 on their tournament debut, while Korda and the more experienced Paul have enjoyed their best Grand Slam ever.

While tennis is an individual sport, Paul said there had been an element of group mentality in Melbourne, with each of them feeding off the other.

“Absolutely. I think we see people that we’ve played our whole lives, kind of felt like we’ve been around the same level as them our whole lives, and we see them doing big things in big tournaments,” said the 25-year-old all-court player. “We’re like, ‘OK, I can do that’.

“At the same time I think we push each over, not just from results-wise, but when we’re talking to each other, we help each other, we push each other, we want each other to do well.

“It’s a good group coming up.”

1:20PM WHY IS ROGER UPSIDE DOWN?

He’s not in Melbourne this year but he can still make the headlines.

So just what is Roger Federer doing hanging upside down in his underpants?

The tennis legend has been pictured in his undies, sporting a swim cap and suspended from the ceiling all in the name of art.

Swiss artist and sculptor Ugo Rondinone approached the Swiss maestro – who has now retired from the sport – to be part of a huge exhibition called “Cloud Six”.

Federer was put into the bizarre poses in order for the artist to capture his 3D figure.

Federer reportedly spent hours inside full-body moulds, hanging from a harnesses and even had his entire face covered in silicone.

The entire ordeal was captured on camera for a documentary called “Portrait of a Champion”.

“I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity to work with both Ugo Rondinone and Credit Suisse as the world of art has been something I have long admired,” Federer said.

“This new experience gave me the chance to push me out of my comfort zone and opened my eyes to learn the intricate processes of creating art.”

Federer doing an art project

Federer doing an art project

12:07PM AUS OPEN STAR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF ‘HATEFUL ACT’

Australian Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov has been accused of a “hateful act” for messages he has posted on TV camera lenses after his matches.

The Russian star, who reached the final four after Sebastian Korda was forced to retire from their quarter-final, wrote “keep believing until the very end. Artsakh, hold on!” after his fourth round win over Frances Tiafoe.

He previously wrote “Artsakh stay strong” after an earlier round.

His messages refer to the Republic of Artsakh, which is currently blockaded by Azerbaijan.

Now the Azerbaijan Tennis Federation says it had protested to Australian Open bosses and the ITF calling for the 18th seed to be “punished with harsh measures”.

“The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation (ATF) has sent a letter of protest to the International Tennis Federation regarding the provocation against Azerbaijan at the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam,” a statement said.

Image of Khachanov's on-camera message

“Karen Khachanov, a Russian athlete of Armenian origin, who reached the 1/16 finals in the men’s competition, attracted attention with his hateful act. Thus, after claiming 3:1 victory over his American rival Frances Tiafoe, Khachanov wrote ‘Artsakh stay strong’ on the camera.

“The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation letter presented facts and legal documents regarding the provocation against Azerbaijan. The ATF condemned this act and demanded the tennis player be punished and urged the International Tennis Federation to take harsh measures for prevention of such incidents in the future.”

Asked to explain what he had written after securing a semi-final berth, Khachanov said: “I have Armenian roots from my father’s side, from my grandfather’s side, even from my mum’s side – I’m half Armenian.

“I just wanted to show strength and support to my people. That’s it.”

11:07AM SEMI-FINALS ARE UNDER WAY

Magda Linette means business this year.

The 30-year-old from Poland has taken the first set 6-3 in her semi-final against Karolina Pliskova.

Heat definitely playing a factor for both women today. That first term playing out in 35 minutes.

Can’t help but feel this one is going the distance.

9:32AM WHERE IS PENG SHUAI?

A senior Human Rights Watch researcher has called on Tennis Australia to use its grand slam spotlight to speak up for the “not free” Peng Shuai.

Peng, once ranked No. 14 in the world, was widely reported to have vanished in November 2021 after accusing retired Chinese Communist Party vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in a social media post.

Peng made controlled appearances in 2022 following the ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ movement and has since denied making the allegations.

The Women’s Tennis Association, which suspended all events in China, says it is confident Peng is “safe and comfortable” but admits it is yet to make progress on its bid to meet with her in private – its ultimatum for returning to the lucrative market.

Speaking from New York, Human Rights Watch senior China researcher Yaqiu Wang said Peng’s recent appearances were forced and that TA should be using the Australian Open limelight to call for her freedom.

READ THE FULL STORY

A protester holding a sign and wearing a T-shirt reading "where is Peng Shuai"

9:06AM NO 1 RANKING BECKONS

Stefanos Tsitsipas said he was “a different player” from the past after blasting into a fourth Australian Open semi-final and a showdown with Karen Khachanov.

The Greek third seed proved too powerful for unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Arena, storming home 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 as he zeros in on a maiden major title.

He will face the Russian 18th seed Khachanov for a place in his first Melbourne Park final, having crashed in the semis three times previously, including in the past two years.

Russia’s Khachanov booked his place when American Sebastian Korda retired hurt with a wrist injury while trailing 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-0.

Asked afterwards if he felt differently from previous years and believes this could finally be his year, the 24-year-old Tsitsipas said: “I’m feeling great with my tennis. I don’t think I felt so good in a long time.

“I will definitely say yes to it. I’ve said it, I’m a different player, playing different. My mentality is different.

“When I’m out on the court, I don’t really think of negatives, to be honest. I just go out there and play the game.” Tsitsipas, who will become world number one should he win the title, has thrived on the energy from the crowd in Melbourne.

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after victory against Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka

7:30AM A CHAMPION’S FEARS

Victoria Azarenka reached her first Australian Open semi-final since winning the title in 2013, then opened up Tuesday about overcoming “anxiety” and “fears of failing” on court.

The Belarusian, who won back-to-back Australian Opens in 2012 and 2013, knocked out third seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-1 on Tuesday.

The 24th seed outlasted her American opponent in a marathon 64-minute first set before running away with the second to set up a last-four encounter against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at Melbourne Park.

Asked about her battles with nerves and anxiety, Azarenka detailed what she had been through in recent years and how it had held her back from winning another major.

“I don’t think you recognise it right away. I think it builds up until you hit kind of a pretty bad spot where nothing kind of makes sense,” she told reporters.

“You feel kind of lost. I was at the point where I couldn’t find anything that I feel good about myself, not like even one sentence.” Asked what her biggest worries were, Azarenka gave a blunt answer. “Fears of failing is a big one. To not be able to do what I want to do,” she said. “I’ve had panic attacks before.”

7AM KYRGIOS V BERNIE: TWIST IN AUSTRALIAN SPORT’S UGLIEST FEUD

Is the temperature cooling around one of the spiciest feuds in Australian sport?

It certainly seems that way, with Bernard Tomic extending an olive branch to long-time foe Nick Kyrgios.

Tomic, whose world ranking has slipped all the way down to 468, posted a message to Kyrgios on his Instagram account wishing the showman a quick recovery from his knee surgery.

“Despite our differences we go way back. Wish (Nick Kyrgios) a quick recovery. Hope to see him back on the circuit soon,” Tomic wrote.

Kyrgios was forced to pull out of the Australian Open on day one of the tournament before he could even hit a ball.

He immediately underwent an arthroscopic procedure to clean up his lateral meniscus and remove a paralabral cyst.

Kyrgios posted a message to his fans on his Instagram account following the successful surgery.

“I’ll be doing everything I can to get back to my best,” he wrote.

“To the real ones checking in and sending the vibes … I love you.”

It’s unclear where Tomic sits on the “real ones” rankings.

The feud between Kyrgios and Tomic dates back years and was active as recently as last month.

Nick Kyrgios responds to Bernard Tomic.

It was then Tomic was overlooked for both main draw and qualifying wildcards for this year’s Open, to which a fan posted on Twitter that the Queenslander “surely” deserved one.

Kyrgios then chimed in, tweeting “Hahahahaha NO HE DOESN’T”.

Also last year, Kyrgios was asked during an Instagram Q&A if he would consider an exhibition match against Tomic.

He responded by saying:

“TBH (to be honest), don’t think I wanna make him relevant anymore. I’m not gonna bother with someone 800 in the world. But all the best.”

Originally published as Novak Djokovic races into Australian Open semi-final with dominant win over Andrey Rublev