Missile man Novak Djokovic barges into the Australian Open final

Tommy Paul no match for Novak Djokovic as the Serb wins in straight-sets to reach the finals of the 2023 Australian Open.


Missile man Novak Djokovic barges into the Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic showed he has a special Teflon coating which makes him inert to criticism and anything which can work him up. On Friday, the Serbian king set the Rod Laver Arena ablaze with a rich mix of aces and winners as he tore apart Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to enter the men’s singles final of the 2023 Australian Open.

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It took all of two hours and 20 minutes for Novak to show he means business. Six matches under his belt, the hamstring now looking fit, all focus and talk is on how one can work up the mean machine. As he is gunning for his 10th title at the Australian Open, Tennis Australia and the organizers of the AO are trying every dirty trick to hurt him.

Perhaps, they do not know that Novak is inert to all this, and the harder it gets the more he survives. It was certainly a match between a pedigree player and a Tommy (who?) as if the American had strayed on the court by mistake. Mixing potent serves and an action-packed game from the backcourt, Novak showed great energy and enthusiasm to win in no time.

The entire fortnight has been hard for Novak. No, not because opponents have been teasing and tormenting him but the way so much stuff has been thrown at him. His Dad Srdjan is a villain, and Novak and Russia are now partners in crime if Tennis Australia is to be believed. Well, Novak does not care about all this. His hallmark has been staying calm, and let actions speak louder than words unless he is at the press conference.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic

And the best part is, for a man who is supposed to be under pressure, he is playing in a tranquil state as if these matches at the Majors are simple stuff. The draw has been ripped apart, favorites have tripped, some have got injured and the Young Turks have fallen by the wayside. And here is a man, being hunted and hounded who is now one step away from the title.

The Serbian runs into Stefanos Tsitsipas, and if Sunday has to be a good match, then the pressure is not on the favorite. Stats spoke of how Novak was in the ascendant, firing 12 aces, all missiles, 75 percent first serves and churning outpace in his serve. In staccato-like bursts, Novak displayed 31 winners, which had the insects under arc lights that had strayed lower down to the court surface duck for cover.

No jokes about this, Novak was in murderous form, this has been one of his most heavy-hitting contests where he blew the American away. Poor Paul, he did not know what hit him on this day as Novak was taking out his anger and vengeance with his racket. His mental state resembles that of a man in a war zone where he has no backup cover. It’s like going out there and smoking out all.

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The situation is so hostile in Melbourne and Australia, they want to work up Novak. He is the same guy who has won nine titles here and is on the cusp of history.
Surely, Novak is loving this fortnight as he has shown that Down Under he will steal the thunder.

“It’s great, and perfect and 100%. Of course you are not as fresh as at the beginning of the tournament but we put in a lot of hours in the off season. I know what’s expected and I have been in so many positions in my career,” said Novak later. “It’s a great battle, with yourself and the opponent. Long rallies and you could feel the heavy legs in the first set but I was fortunate to hold my nerves. After that I was swinging through the ball more and I am just pleased to get through another final,” he added.

That should put things in perspective how Novak will be ready for the Sunday bash at the Rod Laver Arena, his own backyard of sorts.

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