LUCKY BREAK FOR DJOKOVIC INTO ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN OPEN SEMI

Novak Djokovic is through to the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open, but he’ll be the first to admit it wasn’t in the way anyone expected.

In a dramatic quarter-final at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic advanced after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire injured, despite holding a two-set lead and looking like he might complete a stunning upset.

The match saw the Italian star race out to a 6-4, 6-3 advantage, playing some of the best tennis of his career and putting Djokovic, hampered by a blister on his foot, firmly on the back foot.

But as Musetti began feeling increasing pain in his leg early in the third set, the momentum shifted dramatically. After a medical timeout, the 23-year-old simply couldn’t continue, ending his run and handing Djokovic a place in the last four.

“It’s just one of those things,” Djokovic said after the match, admitting he felt “extremely lucky” to still be in the tournament. The world No. 4 sympathised with Musetti’s plight, noting that the Italian “should have been the winner today” but also expressed relief that his own bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title lives on.

This is Djokovic’s 13th Australian Open semifinal, and came on the heels of another unusual twist, a walkover in the fourth round after Jakub Menšík withdrew earlier in the week.

Up next for the 38-year-old Serb is a blockbuster showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner, who’s enjoyed a strong run in Melbourne. Sinner has beaten Djokovic multiple times in recent years and will test the veteran’s mettle once again.

Image credit: Sky Sports