Novak Djokovic has reached his 29th Grand Slam semifinal after easing past former US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori 6-3,6-2,6-4.
Questions about Djokovic’s form were circulating ahead of the match following his tiring five-sets fourth round win over Gilles Simon. In comparison, Nishikori dropped just one set on his way to the last eight in Melbourne. The Serbian may of endured a tougher fourth round match than Nishikori, however, he was still the dominant force going into their last eight meeting in Melbourne, leading their head-to-head 5-2.
The match got underway with both players displaying a high caliber of tennis with a series of outstanding winners. The first five games went with serve until an error-stricken sixth game from Nishikori. The Japanese player was leading 40-15 before two consecutive unforced errors allowed Djokovic to level at 40-40. After the top seed worked his way to the first break point of the match, the game was handed to him after a costly double fault from Nishikori. The lapse in concentration from Nishikori proved fatal to his first sets hopes as Djokovic clinched the set following another forehand unforced errors from his opponent. Despite taking the first set with ease, there was still room for improvement for the world No.1. Djokovic only managed to get 48% of his first serves in during the opening set.
Nishikori has beaten Djokovic once before at a Grand Slam during the 2014 US Open. Despite this, his confidence at the start of the second set appeared low as more errors came off his racket. Djokovic grabbed a double opportunity to lead by a set and a break after a backhand from from the Japanese player failed to go over the net. The Serbian was then gifted the break after forehand went wide from Nishikori. The service problems were catching as the world No.1 also encountered difficulty in his first service game of the second set. The only difference was that Djokovic had the confidence and belief as he saved two break points to consolidate his break. The lead was extended to 4-1 when the defending champion grabbed a double break thanks to a forehand slamming into the net from his weakening opponent. Serving for the set, Djokovic grabbed the two sets leads on his third set point when a speedy serve out wide forced Nishikori to return it out.
As Djokovic maintained a firm grip on the match, Nishikori went off the court for a medical timeout for treatment on his right leg prior to the start of the third set. Returning to the court the world No.7 was able to grab his first break of the match after a poor Djokovic unforced error enabled him to lead 2-0.
A big “C’MON” from Nishikori as he breaks for a 2-0 lead in the 3d set. Plenty of tennis left in this one #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/82EPaHhWrB
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2016
The sequence of breaks continued with both players appearing aggressive when they broke each other, but extremely fragile in their service games. The four consecutive breaks finally ended when Djokovic fired a backhand winner to level 3-3. The top seed dealt his opponent another blow after breaking for the sixth time in the match to lead the third set for the first time. After his roller coaster start to the third set, the defending champion regained his consistency to take a straight sets win over the world No.7. Djokovic took the match with a blistering crosscourt backhand winner.
Novak Djokovic’s on court interview after winning semi final #AusOpen https://t.co/T4CpsgG2Hx
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2016
It was a far from perfect performance from the top seed, who produced 22 winners compared to 27 unforced errors. In addition Djokovic produced 6 aces and converted 6/11 break points.
In the last four Djokovic will play long time nemesis Roger Federer in what will be third their 45th meeting on the tour. The head-to-head is currently tied at 22-22, however, Djokovic defeated the 34-year-old in five out of their eight matches last year. Federer was the only player in 2015 to beat Djokovic on multiple occasions.
