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Published 19:51 IST, January 21st 2025

Novak Djokovic A Step Ahead In Australian Open Title Chase, Defeats Carlos Alcaraz In Grand Fashion

Novak Djokovic overcame Carlos Alcaraz and has advanced into the semifinal round. The Serbian defeated the Spaniard with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 lead.

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia gestures during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne | Image: AP Photo

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic was a relentless force who has entered the Australian Open Tennis championships with the intent of winning a Grand Slam. The Serb has been in a warpath and is taking out every opponent he has to face. As the competition advances, the stakes grow higher. Given that Djokovic is on a goose chase for the title, the anticipation is at an all-time high. Djokovic refuses to let anything hamper his momentum and continues his winning pursuit at Melbourne Park.

Novak Djokovic Advances Ahead in AO 25! Beats Alcaraz

At the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic overcame Carlos Alcaraz and has advanced into the semifinal round. The Serbian defeated the Spaniard with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 lead in what looked like a scintillating showdown of superstars. 

The crucial match -up lasted more than 3 1/2 hours and almost until 01:00 AM. The action was constant among both stars and the shots were excellent. In the fourth set, when Alcaraz saved a break point that would have given Djokovic a 5-2 lead and allowed him to serve for the victory.

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia runs to play a forehand return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne | Image: AP Photo

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka Reaches The Australian Open Semifinals As She Seeks A Third Title In A Row

Carlos Alcaraz Managed But Failed To Pull Off A Comeback

The No. 7-seeded Novak Djokovic won with his wife, son, and daughter cheering from the stands. He did this by using the same amazing returning and flawless groundstrokes against Carlos Alcaraz that his now-retired rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had to contend with for years.

In the closing moments, Djokovic relished some of his own finest moments, pointing to his ear, blowing kisses, or spreading his arms and swelled his chest. In the third set, the forehand winner earned the break with a 22-stroke point, giving them a 5-3 lead. The final point of that set involved sprinting back to the net to catch a lob. Alcaraz also showed no shyness by pumping his fists and yelling "Vamos!" following a particularly powerful forehand in the fourth set.

Djokovic’s 50th major semifinal will come against No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev, who beat No. 12 Tommy Paul 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1. The other men’s quarterfinals will take place in Wednesday when No. 1 Jannik Sinner will face off against No. 8 seeded Alex de Minaur, and No. 21 Ben Shelton against the unseeded Lorenzo Sonego.

Also Read: Goran Ivanisevic Says He No Longer Will Be Coaching Elena Rybakina After The Australian Open

[With AP Inputs]

Updated 21:10 IST, January 21st 2025