Australian Open: Novak Djokovic retires versus Alexander Zverev

World no. 2 Alexander Zverev will compete in his third Main last on the Australian Open! The German confronted the ten-time champion in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic, and prevailed within the opening set 7-6 after 80 minutes of an exciting battle.

Novak missed a volley at 5-6 within the tie break and retired, leaving the court docket because of a leg harm skilled within the quarter-final duel in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz. Thus, Zverev will search his first Main crown in opposition to Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton on Sunday.

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Djokovic gave every thing to enter the match and problem his good pal. The veteran didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday, coping with an harm and dealing together with his crew to beat it and compete at 100% on Friday.

Nonetheless, he couldn’t endure a whole match. He pushed Zverev to the boundaries within the opener earlier than retiring at Majors for the primary time because the US Open 2019. Novak survived 5 break factors within the first set and missed three alternatives to steal the rival’s serve.

Alexander Zverev & Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Alexander served at 76% and dropped seven factors behind the preliminary shot, none within the tie break. The German landed 24 winners and 15 unforced errors and stored the strain on the opposite facet. The Serb performed in opposition to 4 break factors within the third sport of the duel.

He denied them and held to keep away from an early setback. The German skilled his solely free service sport within the subsequent one, defending three break factors and leveling the rating at 2-2. Djokovic saved one other break level within the ninth sport and prolonged the battle.

The set went right into a tie break, and the servers claimed the opening 11 factors. Zverev leveled the rating at 5-5 with a service winner and generated a set level with a forehand down the road winner. Novak missed a routine volley on the web at 5-6, dropping the opener and retiring.