Superstitious abstain: the 13th duel between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, Friday in the semi-final of the Australian Open, will inevitably bring bad luck to one of the two players in their respective quest for a record 25th title or a first Grand Slam coronation.
For now, the evil eye seems to be on the side of the Serbian (7th in the world), ten-time winner in Melbourne, who injured his left leg on Tuesday during his quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz (3rd).
Djokovic, who played and won the last three sets with his thigh bandaged and on painkillers, himself said he was “concerned” at a press conference.
Without going into “details”, the former world No. 1 explained that the injury he suffered was “very similar” to the “hamstring” one that handicapped him two years ago in Melbourne.
A physical problem which did not, however, prevent him from lifting his tenth trophy in Australia.
Another argument in favor of the Serbian, his record against Alexander Zverev (2nd in the world), whom he beat eight times in twelve confrontations and always dominated in Grand Slam tournaments: in the quarter-final of Roland-Garros in 2019, at the same stage of competition at the Australian Open in 2021 and in the semi-finals of the US Open the same year.
Djokovic, however, does not look down on the Hamburger. Double finalist of major tournaments (US Open 2020 and Australian Open 2024), “Zverev is in great shape, he is looking to win his first Grand Slam and he has not come far” from achieving it, underlined the Djoker .
“I saw him play, I trained with him” in Australia, “I have the impression that he loves the playing conditions. He is an extremely dangerous opponent for any player on this surface », Warned Djokovic, winner in four sets against Alcaraz (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4).
“We are talking about a legend”
Also winner in four sets of his quarter-final, against the American Tommy Paul (11th) defeated 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1, Zverev passed Tuesday a time quite similar to his next opponent on the court.
-But his start to the tournament was more expeditious, with three victories in three sets to reach the round of 16, where the Frenchman Ugo Humbert (14th) managed to snatch his first round of the tournament.
“When you reach the semi-finals in a Grand Slam, you have to expect a difficult match,” said Zverev (27), who was not born when Boris Becker won his second Open title. Australia in 1996, the last coronation of a German player in a major tournament.
“I will prepare for an intense and high-level match,” assured the Olympic champion of the Tokyo Games (2021) on Tuesday before knowing his opponent.
“I know I have the level. I already beat them,” he added, referring to Alcaraz, Djokovic and defending champion Jannik Sinner, whom the Serbian or the German could face in the final in Melbourne.
In 2024, Zverev and Djokovic both lost in the semi-finals in Melbourne, respectively against Daniil Medvedev (5th) and Jannik Sinner (1st).
If Djokovic wins against Zverev on Friday then Sinner in the final, after dominating Alcaraz in the quarters, he will have successively beaten the 3rd, 2nd and 1st in the world on the road to a record 25th Grand Slam title.
For French veteran Gaël Monfils (41st), eliminated Monday after abandoning in the round of 16, “we are talking about a legend. »
“If there’s one guy who can do it, it’s him!” »
Related News :