Djokovic v Musetti live: Australian Open live score updates as Italian retires while two sets up
Djokovic takes the next step in his latest bid for a 25th grand slam title before Jannik Sinner faces Ben Shelton
Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury from his Australian Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic while being two sets up.
The Italian fifth seed, 23, raced into a 6-4 6-3 lead after two hours before he appeared to tweak a leg muscle in his opening game of the third. After going 3-1 down in the third set, Musetti retired and shook hands with Djokovic at the net.
Djokovic’s 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 due to injury.
The 38-year-old reached all four semi-finals at the grand slam tournaments last year, only to run into injury or one of Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, and Australia, where he is a 10-time champion appears his best shot at taking the all-time record.
Earlier, Elena Rybakina ended Iga Swiatek’s career grand slam attempt with a 7-5 6-1 victory in the women’s quarter-finals. Rybakina, the 2023 runner-up, will play sixth seed Jessica Pegula , who reached her first Australian Open semi-final with a 6-2 7-6 win over Amanda Anisimova.
Later, Jannik Sinner will aim to continue his winning run at the tournament as Ben Shelton bids for revenge against the defending champion - with Djokovic or Musetti awaiting the winner.
Follow latest score updates from the Australian Open, below
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Djokovic through to semi-finals
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.
Djokovic is now speaking on court. He is through to the semi-finals, but cannot celebrate this.
RETIREMENT! Musetti shakes hands!
Oh noooo.
Musetti is done.
He shakes hands with Djokovic and this match is over.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 3-1 Lorenzo Musetti*
Musetti is going for broke on his forehand, lashing the ball at Djokovic when it’s in reach. But I don’t think he can run.
Djokovic holds with a smash, Musetti was resigned that he was not getting there.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti
Musetti, who has a horrible record with injuries and retired from his French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last season, has received significant treatment on his right leg.
Djokovic, between sets, received treatment on his blisters. But Musetti is back on court and we are about to get underway. Djokovic is up by a break in this set.
We’ve just passed the two-hour mark.
BREAK! *Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti
Now Musetti has called the trainer! It looks like he tweaked something in that double fault. What awful timing.
BREAK! *Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 2-1 Lorenzo Musetti
A loose game from Musetti, a lifeline for Djokovic! The Italian hangs his head after making a double fault and a couple of errors. He is broken to love.
Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 1-1 Lorenzo Musetti*
That might have been Djokovic’s simplest game for a while, with his serve improving, but it still featured a stunning Musetti backhand winner.
*Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 0-1 Lorenzo Musetti
Brilliant defence from Musetti as Djokovic is forced into an overhead miss. Djokovic has recovered from two sets down eight times at grand slams. He needs another one here.
SECOND SET! Novak Djokovic 4-6 3-6 Lorenzo Musetti*
Novak Djokovic is now taking a medical timeout to receive treatment on a blister.
Djokovic looked in pain as his toes were strapped up.
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