Djokovic makes Australian Open semifinals after beating Rublev

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic keeps chasing his 10th Australian Open title as he last beat Russian national Andrey Rublev with straight sets to march to the semifinals on Wednesday.

Fourth seed Djokovic ousted Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in a men's singles quarterfinals match at Rod Laver Arena to book his place in the final four in Melbourne.

World no. 5 Rublev, competing under a neutral flag like other Russian and Belarusian athletes for Russia's war on Ukraine, has returned home.

Australian Open frequenter Djokovic, 35, will play against US player Tommy Paul in the semifinal phase on Friday.

Paul beat his compatriot Ben Shelton 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a quarterfinals clash that lasted for at least three hours at Rod Laver Arena.

The first Grand Slam of the year will end on Sunday with the men's singles final.

- Australian Open men's semifinals

Karen Khachanov vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

Novak Djokovic vs. Tommy Paul