In the second semi-final of Australian Open 2023, Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten run at Melbourne Park as he defeated Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to advance into the final of the first Grand Slam of the year. Djokovic, who was not allowed to play in Australian Open 2022 due to his stand on COVID-19 vaccine, has now reached his tenth final Down Under with a 9-0 record. Djokovic has now also gone past Andre Agassi to win 27 matches in a row at the Australian Open.
In the first set against unseeded Paul, Djokovic cruised to a 3-0 lead before the American held on to his second service game to get on the board. Despite some resistance from Paul, Djokovic clinched the opening set 7-5 in 59 minutes.
Djokovic clearly wasn’t happy with the way he played in the opening set and it was visible in the next set which he convincingly won 6-1.
In the final set, Djokovic upped the ante and once again cruised to a 4-0 lead. Paul managed to win the fifth service game of the match but Djokovic won the set 6-2 to seal the match.
Djokovic will now take on Stefanos Tsitsipas – who defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 in the first semis to reach his maiden Australian Open final.
In case, Djokovic defeats Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday, the Serb will equal Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slams in men’s singles.
