Novak Djokovic has advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open for the 13th time in his career after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired in the third set of their quarterfinal match on Wednesday due to injury.
The Italian had won the first two sets, 6-4, 6-3, but began struggling with what appeared to be a leg injury early in the third set. While serving at 1-3, 15-40, he was forced to stop and approached the net for the handshake.
“I don’t know what to say except that I feel very sorry for him,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “He was the far better player. I was on my way home tonight.
“These kind of things happen in sport, and it happened to me a few times, but being in the quarters of a Grand Slam and two sets to love up, and being in full control, I mean it’s so unfortunate. I don’t know what else I can say. I really wish him a speedy recovery.
“He should have been a winner today, no doubt.”
More to come...