In a stunning turn of events at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic has secured a dramatic passage to the Australian Open semi-finals after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, was forced to retire hurt while leading by two sets. The match, which had been dominated by the Italian, ended abruptly due to an upper right leg injury that severely hampered Musetti's movement.
A Quarter-Final Full of Twists and Turns
The men's singles quarter-final between the ten-time Melbourne champion and the fifth-seeded Italian took an unexpected turn as Musetti, showing impressive form, built a commanding lead. He had taken the first two sets 6-4, 6-3 and was trailing 1-3 in the third when the injury struck, leading to his withdrawal after receiving treatment.
Djokovic's Resilience Tested
Despite struggling against Musetti's aggressive play, Djokovic managed to stay in contention, applauding respectfully as his opponent walked off the court. This survival act keeps the Serbian star's title defence alive, as he now moves into the semi-finals where he will face either Ben Shelton or Jannik Sinner for a place in the final.
The retirement marks a bittersweet moment for Musetti, who was well on top and poised for a major upset. His upper right leg issue, which badly impeded his movement, ultimately proved insurmountable, handing Djokovic a reprieve in what had been a challenging match.
As the tennis world awaits Tumaini Carayol's full report from Melbourne Park, this incident highlights the unpredictable nature of sport, where injuries can dramatically alter outcomes even when one player appears to be in control.
