Novak Djokovic was the first to admit he’s lucky to be back in the Australian Open semifinals instead of Lorenzo Musetti. Despite being two sets down, slowed by a serious blister on his foot and already thinking about his flight home, the 24-time major winner won Wednesday’s quarterfinal when fifth-seeded Musetti retired with an injury.
Musetti took the first two sets 6-4, 6-3 but needed a medical timeout for treatment on his upper right leg after being broken in the third game of the third. The 23-year-old Italian played on for almost two games but couldn’t continue.
After serving a double-fault in the fifth game to give Djokovic another breakpoint chance, Musetti wiped a hand across his face, walked toward the net and removed his headband before exchanging a handshake and quick hug.
Djokovic, who was leading the third set 3-1, will continue his bid for an 11th Australian title and a record 25th major but acknowledged he was lucky this time. He also said, it happens in tennis. “It happened to me a few times. But being in the quarters of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and being in full control — I mean, so unfortunate,” for Musetti, Djokovic said in an on-court TV interview. “He should have been a winner today.”
Musetti was also forced to retire from the French Open semifinals last year — with an injured left leg — after taking a set from eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
“I feel really sorry for him,” the 38-year-old Djokovic said. “He was a far better player – I was on my way home tonight.” In the first set, Djokovic tried to go out hard. He took an early break and was just a point away from a 3-0 lead before Musetti responded and took control of the match. The situation appeared to get more dire for Djokovic when he needed a medical timeout after the second set for a serious blister on the ball of his right foot.
