Novak Djokovic in 'great escape' into Australian Open semi-finals as Lorenzo Musetti retires with two-set lead - 'He should have been the winner'

Novak Djokovic advanced into the semi-finals of the Australian Open after Lorenzo Musetti retired from their quarter-final through injury. Fifth seed Musetti was leading 4-6 3-6 3-1 when he withdrew from the contest. Djokovic will face defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semis after he beat Ben Shelton. On TNT Sports commentary, the moment was described as a "great escape" for Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic moved into the Australian Open semi-finals for the 13th time after Lorenzo Musetti retired with injury while holding a two-set lead.

Fifth seed Musetti looked like he would end Djokovic’s hopes of a record 25th Grand Slam title as he opened up a commanding lead on Rod Laver Arena.

But the Italian needed a medical timeout at the start of the third set and retired while leading 4-6 3-6 3-1.

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Djokovic will face defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals after he beat Ben Shelton in straight sets.

"I don't know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him," said Djokovic about Musetti.

"He was by far the better player, I was on my way home.

"These kind of things happen in this sport and it happened to me a few times but being in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and being in full control. So unfortunate.

"I don't know what else I can say. I really wish him a speedy recovery. He should have been a winner today, there's no doubt."

Musetti’s withdrawal appears to be another huge break for Djokovic in his quest for an 11th title in Melbourne.

The 38-year-old had extra time off ahead of the match after fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew due to injury.

'I was on my way home tonight' - Djokovic laments 'unfortunate' result as Musetti retires with lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

But despite the added rest he looked in deep trouble against Musetti, who had said he wanted "revenge" after losing their previous meeting in the Athens final in November.

Djokovic started positively by winning the first two games, but then lost the next four in a row.

Musetti broke twice to take the first set and then won the second after Djokovic showed "sportsmanship of the highest order" as he conceded a point at a key moment.

Djokovic took a medical timeout at the end of the second set and was grimacing as he received treatment on his foot.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

But while he was fine to play on, injury struck Musetti.

He called for a medical timeout after being broken to love to fall 2-1 behind in the third set.

Soon after, and following several exchanges with his team, he withdrew from the contest.

Musetti is the first player in the Open Era to retire in a Grand Slam quarter-final or beyond after taking the first two sets.

He said he started to feel the injury in the second set and it got worse when he sat down for a medical timeout in the third.

"I played almost all the second set like that, but I could play, because especially with the serve, it was helping me a lot, and I was trying a little bit to push from the baseline, where I was feeling the ball pretty well today.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"So I was managing to try to hold there and to stay and to not really look at the pain. But then when I sat down for three minutes and I kind of stayed longer in the wait position, the pain immediately started to increase.

"Then afterwards, especially when I was going with the forehand on the open stance, I was feeling that I could not come back to the middle and then I could not really play.

"Unfortunately, it was no chance and no way to tape it, to do something to continue to play."

Djokovic's win was his 103rd at the Australian Open, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most men's singles victories at the tournament.

Djokovic will next be in action on Friday when he competes in the semi-finals.

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