Novak Djokovic faces fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open as he bids to take the next step in his quest for tennis history.
Djokovic’s latest pursuit of a 25th grand slam title was aided by a walkover in the fourth round, as Jakub Mensik pulled out of the tournament due to injury.
The 38-year-old reached all four semi-finals at the grand slam tournaments last year, only to run into injury or one of Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, and Australia, where he is a 10-time champion appears his best shot at taking the all-time record.
Earlier, Elena Rybakina ended Iga Swiatek’s career grand slam attempt with a 7-5 6-1 victory in the women’s quarter-finals. Rybakina, the 2023 runner-up, will play sixth seed Jessica Pegula , who reached her first Australian Open semi-final with a 6-2 7-6 win over Amanda Anisimova.
Later, Jannik Sinner will aim to continue his winning run at the tournament as Ben Shelton bids for revenge against the defending champion - with Djokovic or Musetti awaiting the winner.
Follow latest score updates from the Australian Open, below
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- Novak Djokovic takes on Lorenzo Musetti in Australian Open quarter-finals
- Djokovic, 38, bidding for record 25th grand slam title this week
- Elena Rybakina ends Iga Swiatek's career grand slam bid with 7-5 6-1 win
- Jessica Pegula beats Amanda Anisimova to reach first Australian Open semi-final
- Jannik Sinner continues title defence against Ben Shelton later
RETIREMENT! Musetti shakes hands!
06:45 , Jamie BraidwoodOh noooo.
Musetti is done.
He shakes hands with Djokovic and this match is over.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 3-1 Lorenzo Musetti*
06:43 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti is going for broke on his forehand, lashing the ball at Djokovic when it’s in reach. But I don’t think he can run.
Djokovic holds with a smash, Musetti was resigned that he was not getting there.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti
06:40 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti, who has a horrible record with injuries and retired from his French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last season, has received significant treatment on his right leg.
Djokovic, between sets, received treatment on his blisters. But Musetti is back on court and we are about to get underway. Djokovic is up by a break in this set.
We’ve just passed the two-hour mark.
BREAK! *Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti
06:36 , Jamie BraidwoodNow Musetti has called the trainer! It looks like he tweaked something in that double fault. What awful timing.
BREAK! *Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti
06:34 , Jamie BraidwoodA loose game from Musetti, a lifeline for Djokovic! The Italian hangs his head after making a double fault and a couple of errors. He is broken to love.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 1-1 Lorenzo Musetti*
06:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThat might have been Djokovic’s simplest game for a while, with his serve improving, but it still featured a stunning Musetti backhand winner.
*Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 0-1 Lorenzo Musetti
06:28 , Jamie BraidwoodBrilliant defence from Musetti as Djokovic is forced into an overhead miss. Djokovic has recovered from two sets down eight times at grand slams. He needs another one here.
SECOND SET! Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 Lorenzo Musetti*
06:22 , Jamie BraidwoodNovak Djokovic is now taking a medical timeout to receive treatment on a blister.
Djokovic looked in pain as his toes were strapped up.
SECOND SET! Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 Lorenzo Musetti*
06:20 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti lands the forehand winner down the line to take a two-set lead! Extraordinary. Djokovic could have won that game if he had not owned up to touching the ball!
*Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-5 Lorenzo Musetti
06:18 , Jamie BraidwoodWow! Djokovic finds the outside of the line and Musetti goes wide on the angled volley, but Djokovic concedes the point as he admits the ball brushed the outside of his racket!
That’s extraordinary sportsmanship, at a big moment, because it would have been 40-15 to Djokovic. Instead, he is taken into deuce, and then set point as Djokovic nets!
Set point to Musetti!
*Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-5 Lorenzo Musetti
06:11 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti floats a backhand slice long and Djokovic is offered some encouragement ahead of a crucial 30-30 point.
After a let, Musetti responds with an ace out wide - clutch. Musetti will be grateful to see another error from Djokovic, the forehand sprayed wide.
His timing looks so off.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-4 Lorenzo Musetti*
06:06 , Jamie BraidwoodYou know Djokovic is struggling when he is putting relatively simple drop shots into the net under no pressure.
He does, though, hold serve by landing a forehand winner and ace, keeping Musetti in sight.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 2-4 Lorenzo Musetti*
06:01 , Jamie BraidwoodStunning, again, from Musetti, with a chipped drop shot finding the line and the spin taking it away from the chasing Djokovic.
But in this game things can all change in a moment and Djokovic gets a look at break point as Musetti balloons his forehand long!
Djokovic looked to be in control of the point in a 17-shot rally, but Djokovic lands his forehand into the net.
Musetti keeps his cool to control a series of overheads. Djokovic nets after being stretched out wide.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 2-3 Lorenzo Musetti*
05:55 , Jamie BraidwoodThis has been exhibition stuff from Musetti, who is keeping the single-backhander alive with a beautiful winner down the line. Djokovic holds.
*Novak Djokovic 4-6 1-3 Lorenzo Musetti
05:51 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti holds and Djokovic is now looking to be in some trouble. He makes another error on the forehand, blasting wide, before Musetti seals it with an ace.
BREAK! Novak Djokovic 4-6 1-2 Lorenzo Musetti*
05:47 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic strikes the top of the net and doesn’t get the bounce as he is dragged into deuce.
And the errors just keep piling up! Two more from Djokovic, including a forehand long on break point, and Musetti breaks ahead once more.
That’s five unforced errors in the second set for Djokovic already, 23 overall!
BREAK! *Novak Djokovic 4-6 1-1 Lorenzo Musetti
05:41 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat’s the Italian for complete opposite? After a golden game of winners, Musetti is broken to love with a string of errors. Djokovic puts the pressure on behind the return and breaks straight back.
BREAK! Novak Djokovic 4-6 0-1 Lorenzo Musetti*
05:37 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti comes flying out of the blocks with back-to-back-to-back winners! The first is a forehand return down the line, then Musetti produces a stunning crosscourt forehand, that dips behind Djokovic!
Musetti then makes it three in a row with a flying forehand, bringing three break points.
And Musetti takes it with a lob! Djokovic is stranded at the net and the Italian finds the touch.
That’s a stunning game from the 23-year-old. Magical. He moves a set and a break up.
FIRST SET! *Novak Djokovic 4-6 Lorenzo Musetti
05:32 , Jamie BraidwoodA sign of nerves from Musetti as he nudges a volley wide from the net on the opening point?
Perhaps, but Musetti doesn’t show then as the Italian finds two big serves. Djokovic goes long on the return and Musetti has two set points.
And Musetti takes it with a scorching forehand down the line, striking it on the rise! Sublime.
But Djokovic is behind.
Novak Djokovic 4-5 Lorenzo Musetti*
05:28 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic steadies, pulling Musetti back into the net with a drop shot and then finishing the game with an ace.
Can the Italian serve this out or will Djokovic preserve his record of not dropping a set yet this tournament?
*Novak Djokovic 3-5 Lorenzo Musetti
05:24 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic is handed a time violation by British umpire James Keothavong as he emerges from the changeover.
He is starting to grumble to his team, as well, and the frustration will be rising as he puts a simple forehand into the net.
Musetti moves a game away from the set.
Novak Djokovic 3-4 Lorenzo Musetti*
05:18 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic’s 15th unforced error brings up three break points for Musetti, to really take a hold on this opening set.
Djokovic goes big but this time finds control as he scorches the forehand winner down the line.
And Djokovic gets back to deuce! He pins Musetti behind the baseline with big striking then finishes the point with a volley.
Has Djokovic woken up? He blasts another forehand winner on his way to getting a tough hold from 0-40 down.
*Novak Djokovic 2-4 Lorenzo Musetti
05:12 , Jamie BraidwoodOh that is gorgeous from Musetti! With Djokovic closing in to the net, the Italian produces the one-handed backhand pass crosscourt. Sublime.
Djokovic needs a response, now down 0-30.
*Novak Djokovic 2-4 Lorenzo Musetti
05:11 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti now holds to love as Djokovic cracks a forehand into the net.
The 38-year-old started this match well and looked sharp in taking a 2-0 lead in games, but some alarm bells could be ringing now.
BREAK! Novak Djokovic 2-3 Lorenzo Musetti*
05:08 , Jamie BraidwoodTwo more errors from Djokovic, pulling wide on the forehand on consecutive points, and Musetti senses his moment!
Djokovic charges into the net behind the serve but Musetti finds the one-handed backhand pass down the line!
Two break points.... and Musetti defies Djokovic with stunning defence! He chases after the smashes from Djokovic, hanging up lobs that catch the back of the court.
Then, Musetti fires an overhead of his own that scorches past Djokovic. The Italian breaks ahead with his third game in a row.
Djokovic’s error count reads 13 in five games.
*Novak Djokovic 2-2 Lorenzo Musetti
05:02 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic’s serve has been firing in the first couple of games but the unforced errors, with two backhands and a forehand into the net on the previous game, are starting to ramp up. He misses on a forehand down the line and Musetti sees 40-15.
Djokovic pulls it back to deuce as Musetti slices long, but then Djokovic puts too much on the backhand down the line after pulling the trigger following a 16-shot rally. Djokovic then goes wide on the backhand crosscourt.
Lots of errors now.
BREAK! Novak Djokovic 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti*
04:56 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic pays for the wild overhead as Musetti breaks back! After finding his feet, Musetti is now winning the shorter exchanges at the net. He guides a deft chip onto the line then Djokovic whacks a forehand into the net to break.
*Novak Djokovic 2-0 Lorenzo Musetti
04:54 , Jamie BraidwoodThere is lovely shape to some of these points already. Djokovic looks like he is going to be using drop shots and short, sliced approaches to mix up the rallies.
Djokovic faces 15-30 when he can’t get under the volley at the net but finds a wonderful drop shot that Musetti can’t reach. A couple of backhand misses down the line from Djokovic extends the game.
On deuce, Musetti reaches a Djokovic smash and hangs up another high ball... but Djokovic shanks it long of the baseline! Even Djokovic can offer a grin. But it brings break point.
BREAK! *Novak Djokovic 2-0 Lorenzo Musetti
04:46 , Jamie BraidwoodThe perfect start from Djokovic. Musetti double-faults to start the game then comes under pressure with a wild forehand miss. Djokovic closes the net to swat away the volley and brings up 0-40.
Musetti saves the first couple of break points, but then goes long on the forehand!
Novak Djokovic 1-0 Lorenzo Musetti*
04:41 , Jamie BraidwoodMusetti is an excellent shotmaker and has found some confidence behind a more aggressive approach on hard-courts. The Italian lands a beautiful backhand slice down the line.
Djokovic gets the opening hold, finding the serve and then going on the attack against the Italian’s one-handed backhand with the forehand strike.
*Novak Djokovic 0-0 Lorenzo Musetti
04:38 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter a walkover in round four, Djokovic will serve to start this quarter-final.
Novak Djokovic v Lorenzo Musetti
04:30 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we go! This is going to be some introduction for the 10-time champion as Novak Djokovic leads Lorenzo Musetti out onto the Rod Laver Arena.
There’s 15 years between Djokovic and Musetti, who is bidding for his first Australian Open semi-final. It’s only fourth against fifth in terms of seeding, though.
Novak Djokovic bids for Australian Open semi-finals next
04:24 , Jamie BraidwoodNovak Djokovic against Lorenzo Musetti will be next up on Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic, at 38, continues his hunt for a 25th grand slam title. Victory today would secure a record-extending 54th grand slam semi-final.
Jessica Pegula beats Amanda Anisimova to reach first Australian Open semi-final
04:19 , Jamie BraidwoodJessica Pegula beats a frustrated Amanda Anisimova to reach her first Australian Open semi-final, where she will face Elena Rybakina.
Anisimova struggled with her serve, making double faults at key moments deep in the second set, but managed to force a tiebreak by breaking Pegula when she served for the match.
Pegula, who is so steady, regathered to win the second-set tiebreak. A big breakthrough for the 31-year-old American, 6-2 7-6 (6-1).
“It’s awesome. I’ve been able to go deeper at the US Open in the last couple of years. Here, I was like, it’s got to coming. I’ve played good tennis here. I’ve been waiting for the time to break through.”
Iga Swiatek vows to work on game after career grand slam bid ended by Elena Rybakina
04:05 , Jamie BraidwoodIga Swiatek said she would turn her attention to improving technical aspects of her game after Elena Rybakina ended her career grand slam bid with a 7-5 6-1 win in their Australian Open quarter-final.
The second seed highlighted ongoing work with her serve as the biggest area of improvement, with fifth seed Rybakina taking advantage in a one-sided second set to advance to the semi-finals.
Swiatek, 24, said she would be prepared to miss some WTA 1000 tournaments in order to fix the issues that she was unable to address during the off-season.
Iga Swiatek vows to work on game after career grand slam bid ended by Elena Rybakina
Jessica Pegula leads Amanda Anisimova in quarter-final
03:40 , Jamie BraidwoodThe composure and stability of Jessica Pegula is standing in sharp contrast to the despair of Amanda Anisimova as the Wimbledon and US Open runner-up attempts to rein in her game in the second set of the quarter-final.
Pegula won the first set 6-2, with Anisimova struggling behind her forehand.
Elena Rybakina ends Iga Swiatek's career grand slam bid with 7-5 6-1 win
03:34 , Jamie BraidwoodFifth seed Elena Rybakina booked her place in the Australian Open semi-finals with a dominant second set display to hand six-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek a 7-5 6-1 defeat at Melbourne Park.
Looking to lift the trophy for the first time, the 28-year-old will take on either Jessica Pegula or Amanda Anisimova place in Saturday's final.
"Really pleased with the win," said Rybakina. "We know each other pretty well and I was just trying to stay aggressive.
"I feel like in the first set for both of us the first serve wasn't working so we were trying to step in on the second serve to put pressure on each other.
"I think in the second, I just started to play more free, serve better and I'm really happy with the win."
Lorenzo Musetti ready for Novak Djokovic battle
03:32 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic has beaten Musetti in nine of their 10 meetings, including the last six in a row. Their most recent battle came in the Athens final late last season, as Djokovic won his 101st career title in a three-hour battle.
Before then, Djokovic also defeated Musetti in the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, in two of their four meetings from the 2024 season, while the 23-year-old’s only win came on clay in Monte Carlo in 2023.
“Playing against Novak is always challenging, especially here, which he won many, many, many times,” Musetti said.
“I think it will be a tough match, for sure. Of course, he's feeling good. He hasn’t lost a set. He had the chance to rest for a few days. I think at this age, I think he was happy about it, of course, to try to be well-prepared and well-relaxed for this match.
“But of course we know each other pretty well because we played a lot. Just won once against him. Hopefully I'll take my revenge, because last time in Athens we were really, really close. I feel like I have another chance now.”
Novak Djokovic returns to action after fourth-round walkover
03:30 , Jamie BraidwoodNovak Djokovic received a walkover to the last-eight after his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew from the tournament due to injury, which could be crucial to his chances of winning a 25th grand slam title.
The 10-time Australian Open champion is bidding to reach a fifth grand slam semi-final in a row at the age of 38 as he seeks more tennis history in Melbourne.
“There's always something that is happening with the body, but I think generally I feel as good as I have felt in a while,” Djokovic said after his third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp, where he narrowly avoided being defaulted from the tournament after striking a ball near the head of a ball girl.
"I cannot predict the future, I don't know how things are going to unfold from this day onwards, but I'm doing everything I can."
Good morning and welcome
03:27 , Jamie BraidwoodNovak Djokovic bids for another grand slam semi-final at the Australian Open as he takes on fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic reached all four semi-finals at the grand slam tournaments last year, at the age of 38, only to run into injury or one of Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.
His latest pursuit of a 25th grand slam title has been aided by a walkover in the fourth round, as Jakub Mensik pulled out of the tournament due to injury.
Italian Musetti, who is through to his first Australian Open semi-final, will be a tough test, but Djokovic won their last meeting in an epic three-hour Athens final at the end of last year.
Musetti has only won one of his 10 matches against Djokovic, who is a 10-time champion at Melbourne Park.
