Novak Djokovic shattered the hopes of ailing rival Roger Federer Thursday to sweep into a record eighth Australian Open final and move closer to his 17th Grand Slam crown.
In the 50th instalment of one of sport’s greatest rivalries, the Serb shrugged off a tentative start to reinforce his recent dominance, showing no mercy to the Swiss maestro in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-3 win.
“Respect to Roger for coming out tonight when he was obviously hurt and not even close to his best in terms of movement,” said defending champion Djokovic, who is into his 26th Grand Slam final.
“He started well at the beginning and I was pretty nervous. It was very important for me to win that first set. Mentally I relaxed after that.”
“Respect to Roger for coming out tonight. He was obviously hurt… He wasn’t at his best and even close to his best in terms of movement and respect for coming out and trying his best all the way through.”@DjokerNole | #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/GbdkmJz9Vl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2020
After the 38-year-old Swiss star’s dream of yet another Grand Slam title was shattered by the Serbian, the epic semi-final clash has garnered a lot of attention on Twitter.
A user tweeted, “Hard Luck Roger. You are GOAT no matter what ! Congrats to Novak Djokovic for entering the finals.”
Hard Luck Roger.
You are GOAT no matter what ! Congrats to Novak Djokovic for entering the finals. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jpKkrKNvKh— Billy Gilmour (@BillyGilmourSZN) January 30, 2020
New Zealand cricketer Jimmy Neesham took to Twitter expressing himself over Federer’s loss.
Fed
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) January 30, 2020
Starting very well vs Djokovic and then… pic.twitter.com/46WkWmvdzg
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) January 30, 2020
Used to be sad when Djokovic beat Federer in the past but not today
I mean the guy hangs out in the company of Cristiano Ronaldo. What else can u expect?
— CR7 Rap Rhymes (@cr7raprhymes) January 30, 2020
Djokovic’s movement on hardcourt continues to be beyond belief.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ARXW99UceM
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 30, 2020
True Champions care for the sport. Federer, obviously hurting, didn’t retire or default. He tried. And gives Djokovic a proper win. Gives the tournament the headline match ppl paid to see. And Djokovic acknowledges that. Match wasn’t great. Sportsmanship was.
— Chris McKendry (@ChrisMcKendry) January 30, 2020
BIG HUG #NOLEFAM !
When I woke up Nole was down 1-4, Roger had 20 winners, Novak 3.
Novak looked deflated, Roger was holding at love.
What a turnaround!
WE LOVE YOU NOVAK DJOKOVIC!
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR!
❤️❤️
— Yolita (@Yolitatennis) January 30, 2020
Djokovic will play either fifth seed Dominic Thiem or seventh-ranked German Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final, but it will take a monumental effort to prize another title from the 32-year-old.
Of the seven Melbourne finals Djokovic has made, he has won them all.