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Novak Djokovic gives Andrei Rublev no chance in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. In the semifinals he meets Tommy Paul.
The quarterfinals of the bottom half of the tableau
- Novak Djokovic (SRB/ATP 5) s. Andrej Rublew (RUS/ATP 6) 6:1, 6:2, 6:4
- Tommy Paul (USA/ATP 35) s. Ben Shelton (USA/ATP 89) 7:6 (8:6), 6:3, 5:7, 6:4
Last year Andrei Rublev was able to in Belgrade Novak Djokovic still conquer. This is one of the reasons why the Russian in Melbourne should have also calculated chances. But the 25-year-old felt early on that he was facing a different Djokovic than in the Serbian capital. The record winner of the Australian Open (9 titles) delivered another demonstration of power in his living room, the Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic took the reins early on and made the first break at the second attempt. Four more were to follow. With his own service, the 35-year-old remained untouchable for long stretches. And if things got a bit critical, as in the second round, for example when the score was 3: 2 from the Serb’s point of view, Djokovic wore Rublew down with long and exhausting rallies.
The Russian didn’t get tired of looking for the offensive, but the balls kept coming back. After 2:03 hours, Djokovic ended the suffering of the visibly desperate Rublews and made the semifinals perfect.
Paul wins US duel
Djokovic will also be the clear favorite in the round of the last 4. There it comes to the very first duel Tommy Paul. The 25-year-old reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open as the first American in 14 years.
Legend:
Thanks go up
Tommy Paul in his quarterfinal triumph.
Imago/AAP
The world number 35. decided the clash against his 5 year younger compatriot Ben Shelton in 4 sentences. Andy Roddick was the last US professional to reach the round of four in 2009. Previously, a round of 16 entry in Wimbledon last year was Paul’s best result on the biggest stage so far.
Feldbausch in the quarterfinals
The Swiss is among the juniors Killian Feldbausch (ATP 857) moved into the Round of 8. He defeated the American Kyle Kang after a short setback in the second set 6:4, 6:7 (1:7), 6:4. This means that number 1 on the seeding list «Down Under» is still on course. The number 11 seeded Chinese Yi Zhou is waiting in the quarter-finals.
