Fortune favors Novak Djokovic as he advances to the Australian Open semifinals without winning a set, setting up a blockbuster clash with Jannik Sinner in a match for the ages.
In a turn of events that perfectly encapsulates the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, Novak Djokovic is through to the Australian Open semifinals. The 10-time champion’s path was cleared not by his own racket, but by an unfortunate injury to his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, who retired in the third set of their quarterfinal clash on Wednesday night in Melbourne.
The fourth-seeded Serbian looked destined for an early exit, trailing two sets to none. Musetti, the fifth-seeded Italian, was in complete control, having secured the first two sets 6-4, 6-3. However, the match’s momentum shifted dramatically in the third set when Musetti required a medical timeout for treatment on his right thigh. After attempting to continue, he lost the subsequent game before officially retiring with the score at 6-4, 6-3, 1-2. The result means Djokovic, who has not won a set since the third round, advances to the semifinals, where he will face the formidable Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic displayed remarkable sportsmanship in the wake of his unusual victory, expressing his disappointment for his fallen opponent. “I feel really sorry for him,” Djokovic said. “He was a far better player, I was on my way home tonight. These kinds of things happen in sport. It happened to me a few times, but being in the quarters of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up, and being in full control, I mean, so unfortunate. I wish him a speedy recovery. And he should have been the winner today, there’s no doubt.”
This is the second consecutive match in which Djokovic has advanced without winning a set. He received a fourth-round walkover when 16th-seeded Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic withdrew with an abdominal injury. Despite these unusual circumstances, Djokovic, at 38 years old, remains just two victories away from tennis immortality. A 25th career Grand Slam title would break his tie with Margaret Court for the most in history. ESPN has confirmed Djokovic’s path to the semifinals.
Standing in his way is the man who has become his modern-day nemesis on the Grand Slam stage: Jannik Sinner. The second-seeded Italian and two-time defending champion delivered a dominant performance in his quarterfinal, defeating eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Sinner was in complete control, saving all four break points and committing just 16 unforced errors, a stark contrast to Shelton’s 34.
The Djokovic-Sinner rivalry is quickly becoming one of the defining matchups of the current era. Sinner has consistently gotten the better of the Serbian in high-stakes encounters, defeating him in the semifinals at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon in 2025. He now leads their head-to-head 9-1, including a perfect 4-0 in Grand Slam matches. This semifinal is a must-watch for tennis fans, as it pits Djokovic’s relentless experience against Sinner’s powerful, evolving game. The ATP Tour has confirmed Sinner’s victory and his upcoming clash with Djokovic.
“These are the moments you practice for,” Sinner said of facing Djokovic. “I will wake up in the morning and will look forward to playing a good match hopefully. If you want to win you have to play at your best. In the past I have had great lessons and it doesn’t really matter the result, it improves you as a player and a person. We are lucky to still have Novak here, playing incredible tennis at his age.”
The stage is set for an Australian Open semifinal for the ages. Will Djokovic’s fortune continue as he chases history, or will Sinner continue his mastery and assert himself as the new king of Melbourne Park? The answer will determine who moves one step closer to the 25th Grand Slam title.
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