SF Preview: ‘Dominant’ Djokovic Meets Surprise Package Paul

There are few things new to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, where he is now two wins away from a record-extending 10th singles title. But he will experience a first in Friday’s semi-finals when he takes on American Tommy Paul.

The opponents will open their ATP Head2Head series in the Rod Laver Arena evening session, with Djokovic playing his sixth straight match under the lights on Melbourne’s main stage. Paul, who was on the field courts for his first three contests, made his Laver debut on Wednesday in the quarter-finals.

While Paul is unseeded, he was the first man to miss the cutoff as the World No. 35. He is now up to No. 19 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, and Djokovic is expecting an elite-level test.

“I watched him play quite a bit, especially during this tournament. He’s been playing probably the tennis of his life,” said the Serbian. “Very explosive, very dynamic player. Quick, very solid backhand. Likes to step in, dictate the point with the forehand. Great, great service motion. I think he can hit all the spots with the serve. Very complete player.”

While Djokovic feels Paul has nothing to lose as a first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, the Serbian is playing for history. A title triumph would draw him level with 2022 Melbourne champ Rafael Nadal on a record 22 men’s major singles titles; it would also lift Djokovic back to the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since last June.

After some uncertainty surrounding his hamstring issue in the early rounds of the tournament, Djokovic has been ruthless in his past two outings, dropping just five games against home favourite Alex de Minaur in the fourth round and seven to fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarters.

“The past two matches, playing against two guys that are really good players, in-form players, to beat them dominantly in three sets is definitely something that I want in this moment, something that sends a message to all my opponents remaining in the draw,” Djokovic said.

“With this kind of game, of course the confidence level rises, considering the circumstances. I feel good on the court, better and better as the tournament progresses. I’ve been in this situation so many times in my life, in my career, never lost a semi-final in the Australian Open. Hopefully that will stay the same.”

Indeed, Djokovic has gone on to win the tournament each of the past nine times he has reached the semis. But despite the Serbian’s sterling record Down Under, Paul was hoping for an opportunity to face the undisputed master of Melbourne.

“I’m really excited. It’s really cool,” Paul said of making his first Grand Slam semi-final, before Djokovic defeated Rublev. “I think it’s even cooler if I do play Novak. That’s probably who I want to play. I mean, I probably have a better chance of winning if it’s Rublev, but to play Novak here in Australia would be awesome.”

After a four-set win in an all-American quarter-final against 20-year-old Ben Shelton, Paul continues to fly the flag for U.S. men’s tennis at the tail end of a historic tournament for the nation. With Paul, Shelton and Sebastian Korda all reaching the last eight, it marked the first time since 2000 that three American men have reached that stage in Melbourne — and the first time at any Slam since the 2005 US Open.

Paul is proud to represent the United States, nearly 20 years after Andy Roddick became the last American man to win a major title at the 2003 US Open: “I think we all want it pretty bad for ourselves,” he said, referencing Frances Tiafoe’s semi-final run at the 2022 US Open. “But we want it for U.S. tennis, too.”

The American knocked off two seeded opponents in reaching the semi-finals, both hailing from Spain: 30th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in five sets (second round) and 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in four (fourth round).

Paul holds a 6-12 tour-level record against Top 10 opposition, including a win against Nadal last November at the Rolex Paris Masters. He also earned victories against Carlos Alcaraz (Montreal) and Alexander Zverev (Indian Wells) last season — but facing Djokovic at the Australian Open is a different proposition.