Musetti withdraws, and Djokovic advances at the Australian Open; video

Novak Djokovic's nine wins in his first 10 games against Lorenzo Musetti could suggest a huge advantage for the Serb. But that wasn't what we saw, this Wednesday (28), in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The Italian (5th in the world) dominated his rival favorite (4th) and won by 6/4, 6/3 and 1/3. But, injured and desolate, had to leave the game with a groin injury.

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– I don't know what to say, he's a great guy, I was already on my way home. He should be the winner today – Djokovic acknowledged.

In his fifth appearance in Melbourne, the young Italian, aged 23, was looking for his first semi-final . Until then, his best campaign was last year, when he stopped in the third round.

Djokovic, in turn, record holder of Slams (24) and titles in Melbourne (10) is close to another final. In the last two years, the Serb has reached the semifinals at the Australian Open.

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Friday, the number 4 in the world faces the Italian Jannik Sinner (current two-time champion) or the American Ben Shelton (7th).

How Djokovic's victory was

With a break in the second game, it looked like Djokovic would take a walk in the first set. But when he served at 2/0, the Serb had his serve broken for the first time. Not satisfied, the Italian repeated the feat in the fifth game. Serving at 2/4, the former ranking leader came from 0/40 and saved three breaks. The reaction of the title holder in Melbourne (10) did not prevent the series defeat.

Rocked, Musetti started the second set with another break. This time, however, Djokovic got the fight back, but didn't stop his rival from imposing himself on his serve again in the third game. With the two breaks, the Italian opened 3/1. Musetti saved break in the sixth game (serving at 3/2). Quite aggressive and, at the same time, making very few mistakes, the world number 5 remained superior in the partial and achieved another break in the last game, closing the set.

The Serb was not discouraged by the defeat in the previous part and achieved a break in the third game of the following set. Right after the loot was broken, Musetti asked for medical attention, with groin pain. And Djokovic opened 3/1.

Devastated, the Italian still tried to continue in the game, but ended up giving up.