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The Australian Open has a dream men’s semi-final line-up, but reigning champion Novak Djokovic will carry some physical queries into the tournament’s final stages.
The world No.1’s 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 quarter-final victory over dogged Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer on Wednesday night ensured the `Big Four’ became the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time.
The Serbian star set up a semi-final rematch of last year’s final against Scot Andy Murray.
But Djokovic will enter that clash with some concerns, after clutching at his left hamstring at one point against Ferrer and appearing to struggle with his breathing for long stages.
Earlier, Murray blitzed Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-1 to book his own berth in Friday night’s semi-final.
Second seed Rafael Nadal and third seed Roger Federer were already set to renew their long-time rivalry in the other semi-final, on Thursday night.
While Djokovic did not call for a medical time-out or a trainer against Ferrer, the match changed complexion early in the second set.
Djokovic was up a set and a break and in control.
But he limped to the change of ends after the third game of the set, then pulled up sharply stretching for a shot as he gave up his serve in the fourth game, clutching at his hamstring, then grimacing and squatting in pain.
At other stages, he appeared to complain about breathing problems.
Even in the first set, it had been a tough fight against short-statured running machine Ferrer, whose willingness and ability to chase down ball after ball made for some long rallies.
But once Djokovic’s physical condition dipped in the second set, the 29-year-old Spaniard’s hopes of making his second consecutive Australian Open semi-final grew.
Despite going down a second break of serve, he broke back when Djokovic was serving for the second set, then led early in the tiebreaker.
But Ferrer made some crucial errors late in the tiebreaker to hand Djokovic the set.
The relieved No.1 charged to a straight sets win.
Murray will take a 10-match winning streak into their semi-final, having won the Brisbane International before his Melbourne Park run.
But Djokovic can call on the memory of blitzing fellow 24-year-old Murray on the same court in last year’s final.
Djokovic played down his physical problems, but said winning the second set had been vital.
“It was a big mental advantage,” he said.
“The momentum was on my side. I managed to step it up and was very aggressive and it paid off.”
The Serb said Murray was an improved player from the one he beat in last year’s final.
“I’m going to try to repeat the same game like last year, I guess, but I’m going to need more than that,” he said.
“Andy is in great shape, he has (new coach) Ivan Lendl on his side.
“You can feel that he’s physically fit and eager to win his first grand slam.”
Djokovic said the hamstring problem was a “sudden pain” that did not last long.
He said of his breathing problems: “I felt the whole day my nose was closed a little bit. I just wasn’t able to get enough oxygen.”
But he was confident he could recover well and be at his best physically to play Murray.
Ferrer said the big gap between the top four and the rest was not shrinking.
“No, I don’t think so. Because the last year, the top four players played all the finals in the grand slams,” Ferrer said.
“They were there in the final rounds and this year they are doing it again, so … the top four, it’s another level.”
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