History-chasing Novak Djokovic turned back the clock at the Australian Open for a vintage display that sent his young rival Carlos Alcaraz spinning out of the Grand Slam and the 37-year-old Serb into his 50th major semi-final yesterday.
Paula Badosa stunned Coco Gauff to reach the last four at a major for the first time and will next meet her best friend and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who booked the intriguing match-up with a battling win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Alexander Zverev overcame Tommy Paul to also go through but the focus on the 10th day of the championships was mostly on the evening blockbuster that determined his next opponent.
Djokovic, who is eyeing a record 25th Grand Slam title and 11th at his happiest hunting ground, delighted fans with a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory over 21-year-old French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz to end his ambitious career Grand Slam bid.
Sabalenka also had an extended spell on Rod Laver Arena, as she negotiated windy conditions for a 6-2 2-6 6-3 win over 27th- seeded Russian Pavlyuchenkova that kept her quest for a third straight title at Melbourne Park going.
A familiar rival lies in wait for Sabalenka after Badosa defeated Gauff 7-5 6-4 to bring a shuddering halt to the third-seeded American’s 13-match winning streak.
Gauff’s compatriot Paul had the better of the first three sets against second seed Zverev but ended up on the wrong side of a 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 scoreline on a steamy centre court.
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