By Chris Oddo | Wednesday January 23, 2019
Novak Djokovic eased past Kei Nishikori and into the Aussie Open semis with an uncomplicated victory on Day 10.
Photo Source: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Kei Nishikori ran out of gas and Novak Djokovic ran into the semis at the Australian Open on Wednesday night.
Nishikori, after claiming three five-set victories in his first four rounds at Melbourne, finally crumbled under pressure and succumbed to a leg injury that forced him to retire down a set and 4-1.
Ailing from the start, Nishikori was never in it. He moved sluggishly from first ball and had trouble defending his forehand side.
He called the trainer after dropping the opener and returned to the court but only looked worse.
It was a sad ending to an inspiring run for the No.8 seed—he falls to 2-16 against Djokovic lifetime.
For Djokovic the injury-shortened match leaves him with a 66-8 lifetime record at the Australian Open. He powers into his seventh Australian Open semifinal and he has a perfect record when he has reached this far at Melbourne.
The six-time champion will face France’s Lucas Pouille in the semifinals.