The Italian fifth seed, 23, raced into a 6-4 6-3 lead, playing brilliant tennis, before he tweaked his groin in his opening service game of the third. After going 3-1 down, Musetti, who was unable to run because of the injury, retired and shook hands with Djokovic at the net. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t know what to say except I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player,\u201d Djokovic said. \u201cI was on my way home tonight. Being in quarters of a grand slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, so unfortunate. He should have been a winner today, there’s no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djokovic\u2019s latest pursuit of a 25th grand slam title was also aided by a walkover in the fourth round, as Jakub Mensik pulled out of the tournament<\/a> due to injury, and the 38-year-old will now play either Jannik Sinner<\/a> or Ben Shelton in the semi-finals. \u201cI’m just extremely lucky,\u201d Djokovic said. \u201cI\u2019m going to do my best to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier, Elena Rybakina<\/a> ended Iga Swiatek<\/a>\u2019s career grand slam attempt with a 7-5 6-1 victory in the women\u2019s quarter-finals<\/a>. Rybakina, the 2023 runner-up, will play sixth seed Jessica Pegula<\/a> , who reached her first Australian Open<\/a> semi-final with a 6-2 7-6 win over Amanda Anisimova<\/a>. <\/p>\n Follow latest score updates from the Australian Open, below<\/p>\n Australian Open latest scores and updates <\/a>Djokovic remains tied with Federer on 102 Australian Open wins<\/p>\n A 13th Australian Open semi-final for Novak Djokovic. Until two years ago, he had never lost one. <\/p>\n Also, after a walkover and a withdrawal, Djokovic remains tied with Roger Federer on 102 wins at the Australian Open, despite advancing to the final four. <\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:27<\/p>\n <\/a>Novak Djokovic not happy with performance after reaching semi-finals<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic will play either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the semi-finals. He has made it very clear that he will need to improve on Friday. Sounds like Djokovic lost some rhythm after his walkover against Jakub Mensik in the fourth round. <\/p>\n \u201cI’ll watch that match with my team and try to get some insights of of both of these guys’ game. Nevertheless, my main priority remains my game. I played really well until today, throughout the whole tournament.<\/p>\n \u201dToday, I’m definitely not happy with my performance, but it’s another day in the office and hopefully in the in the in a couple of days’ time I can come out and being at my best because that’s what’s going to be needed.\u201d<\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:13<\/p>\n <\/a>Djokovic: ‘I got extremely lucky – I’m gonna do my best to use it’<\/p>\n \u201dI just wasn’t feeling the ball today, the first couple of sets. But that’s also due to his quality and his variety in the game. <\/p>\n \u201cI’m just extremely lucky to get to get through this one today.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a walkover in the fourth round and today should have been beaten, and then two sets down and I get the win, so I mean.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m gonna double my prayers tonight for sure, and gratitude to God for really giving me this opportunity once again. <\/p>\n \u201cI’m gonna do my best in a couple of days to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:05<\/p>\n <\/a>A devastating retirement for Lorenzo Musetti <\/p>\n So gutting for Lorenzo Musetti. Two sets up, playing brilliant tennis, closing in on a win against Novak Djokovic, the Italian is struck down by a groin injury. <\/p>\n It was so severe that Musetti couldn\u2019t run, and he lasted just a couple more games. It\u2019s devastating for the Italian, who also retired from his French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last season. <\/p>\n He is denied what would have been the best win of his career. <\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 07:01<\/p>\n <\/a>Novak Djokovic: ‘I was on my way home tonight’<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know what to say except that you know, I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player.<\/p>\n \u201dI was on my way home tonight. Don’t know what to say.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, this, this kind of thing is happening in sport and it happened to me a few times. <\/p>\n \u201cBeing in quarters of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, I mean, so unfortunate.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know what else I can say. I really wish him a speedy recovery and he should have been a winner today, there’s no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 06:53<\/p>\n <\/a>Djokovic through to semi-finals<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic looks stunned. What an extremely fortunate break. Such a shame for Musetti, who was looking so good in taking a two-set lead. <\/p>\n Djokovic is now speaking on court. He is through to the semi-finals, but cannot celebrate this. <\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 06:48<\/p>\n <\/a>RETIREMENT! Musetti shakes hands! <\/p>\n He shakes hands with Djokovic and this match is over. <\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 06:45<\/p>\n <\/a>Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 3-1 Lorenzo Musetti*<\/p>\n Musetti is going for broke on his forehand, lashing the ball at Djokovic when it\u2019s in reach. But I don\u2019t think he can run. <\/p>\n Djokovic holds with a smash, Musetti was resigned that he was not getting there. <\/p>\n Jamie Braidwood28 January 2026 06:43<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI282549710.jpeg\")
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