Australian Open 2023 Semi-final Roundup: Novak Djokovic storms into the final, Mirza-Bopanna create history
With his splendid show from the first round, the champion player from Serbia Novak Djokovic has reached the final of the Australian Open 2023. He was consistent throughout the tournament and maintained his winning streak in the semifinals as well. On the other hand, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna were brilliant from the beginning to reach the final.
Let us take a look at the semi-final matches:
Men’s Singles
Novak Djokovic vs Tommy Paul
The man from Serbia won the semifinal battle against the American player Tommy Paul in straight sets 7-5, 6-1, and 6-2 to enter the finals. There was not even a single moment where Djokovic looked under pressure. With 12 aces throughout the match, he was dominant in almost every game.
The 35-year-old defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round in straight sets. After that, he beat Enzo Couacaud in the second round.
The third round against the Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov was another victory that came in straight sets for the former World number one. He further defeated Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev in the fourth round and the quarter-final respectively.
Karen Khachanov vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Current world number three Stefano Tsitsipas has defeated the Russian player Khachanov in a tough match in the semi-final. The Greek player outclassed his opponent 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, and 6-3 to book his place in the final against Novak Djokovic.
It is going to be the best chance for him to grab his maiden grand slam title. The 24-year-old has been outstanding over the last couple of years but unfortunately couldn’t win any major.
The star player from Greece defeated Jiri Lehecka in the quarters by 6-3, 7-6 and 6-4. Now, he would be looking to create history by winning his first grand slam title in front of his rival Djokovic.
Women’s Singles
Magda Linett vs Aryna Sabalenka
The first semi-final between Magda Linett and Aryna Sabalenka was an easy match for the latter as she defeated his opponent in straight sets 7-6, 6-2 to enter the championship match. The Belarusian is now looking for her third major this time after a couple of glorious victories in the 2019 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open.
Her quarter-final match against Donna Vekic was also a two-set affair in which she won 6-3, 6-2 easily. In fact, she overcame all the games in this tournament so far quite easily and is a top contender this time around.
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka
Elena Rybakina became an overnight sensation when she became the first-ever Kazakhstani player to win a Wimbledon title. Her confidence is at the top level currently and she has displayed a fantastic show so far.
In the semi-final against Victoria Azarenka, the Russian-born player won in straight sets to cruise into the finals.
Her game against Aryna Sabalenka in the final is going to be a super battle between the two. While Sabalenka was fearless throughout the journey, a victory here for Rybakina will be a big moment for Kazakhstan.
Men’s Doubles
Rinky Hijikata/Jason Kubler vs Horacio Zeballos/Marcel Granollers
The first semi-final between Hijikata/Kubler and Zeballos/Granollers ended quite early after some phenomenal display from the Australian pair. They defeated their opponent 6-4, 6-2 in style to enter the championship game where they will meet Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski.
Defeating Zeballos and Granollers is a top-class effort from the duo and they would like to maintain the same momentum in the final.
Jeremy Chardy/Fabrice Martin vs Hugo Nyc/Jan Zielinski
In a three-set affair, Hugo Nyc and Jan Zielinski were victorious by 6-3, 5-7 and 6-2. They were completely outclassed in the second set by the French pair but came back strongly to win the final game 6-2.
With 12 aces and 89% victory in the first serve, they deserved to win the match in the same fashion. Their battle against the Australian duo Hijikata and Kubler will be a tight match on Saturday.
Women’s Doubles
Ena Shibahara/Shuko Aoyama vs Coco Gauff/Jessica Pegula
The Japanese duo were terrific in their semifinal battle against the American pair of Gauff and Pegulla as they defeated them 6-2, 7-6 to enter the final of the Australian Open 2023. Their quarter-final encounter against Kalinskaya and Dolehide also ended in two sets with an easy victory 6-3, 6-3.
The women from Japan are now set to play their first-ever grand slam final on a big stage and if they could keep the momentum going and win it from here, it is going to be historic for their country.
Katerina Siniakova/Barbora Krejcikova vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse/Marta Kostyuk
It didn’t look like a semi-final as the Czech pair defeated Ruse and Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 to enter the finals. The duo is currently world number one and showcased a similar kind of performance in the semi-final.
Their quarter-final battle was quite similar as they won 6-2, 6-3 against Demi Schuurs and Desirae Krawczyk.
Mixed Doubles
Olivia Gadecki/Marc Polmans vs Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos
This was one of the finest games in the ongoing Australian Open where Stefani and Matos became victorious 4-6, 6-4 and 11-9. After being down in the first set, it looked like the Australian pair will take the game but the duo from Brazil had some other plans. They came back strongly thereafter to clinch a phenomenal victory in the end.
Rohan Bopanna/Sania Mirza vs Neal Skupski/Desirae Krawczyk
It’s the final grand slam of Sania Mirza’s career and she will surely remember this with the way she played. She alongside Rohan Bopanna won some great matches in the ongoing edition.
Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna in one of the points in the semifinal clash
In the semi-final, the duo defeated Skupski and Krawczyk by 7-6 and 10-6. They got the walkover in the quarter-final against David Vega Hernandez and Jelena Ostapenko.
With some phenomenal achievements throughout her career, Sania Mirza is surely going to embrace her illustrious journey.