Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev were separated by just one place in the Australian Open seedings but these two players were worlds apart when they met in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Djokovic, the record nine-time champion, was always favourite for this match against the fifth-seeded Russian but the 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 scoreline demonstrated the gulf in class that continues to exist between the Serb and pretty much everyone else.
Rublev could have played better to make it a more competitive contest but that's what happens against Djokovic; he nullifies his opponent's strengths and exposes their weaknesses, all while outplaying them in practically every facet of the game.
And that's exactly what the 21-time major champion did to Rublev inside Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic, who showed no signs of the hamstring issues that had hampered his movement earlier in the tournament, outplayed Rublev on serve and return, dominated him from the baseline in long rallies and short, and generally outthought and outclassed the Russian.
Rublev had his moments. He created five break-point opportunities but ultimately converted none. He pushed Djokovic beyond deuce in 10 games but more often than not, the clutch points went the way of the Serb.
After two hours and three minutes, Rublev was finally put out of his misery as Djokovic set up a semi-final showdown with unseeded American Tommy Paul, his 26th straight match win in Melbourne drawing him level with Andre Agassi's all-time record.
It also marked the 44th time that Djokovic reached the last four at the Grand Slams, leaving him six ahead of Rafael Nadal and only two behind his other great rival and 20-times major champion Roger Federer.
"I can't be happier with my tennis, I was solid from the back of the court. I love these conditions, this court, it's definitely special for me," said Djokovic, who rated this performance a "close second" to his mesmeric victory over Alex De Minaur in the fourth round.
"I'm going to keep going. I think it's important to be smart and wise with the body in these circumstances where it's more important to recover and get ready for the next challenge.
"The scoreline in the opening two sets does not show the reality," Djokovic, 35, added rather modestly. "Andrey's a great opponent, he has one of the biggest forehands. I knew the gameplan, but it's one thing to imagine and another to execute."
Following two masterclass displays, Djokovic will be heavily-fancied for his semi-final against world No 35 Paul, who defeated fellow American Ben Shelton 7-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the earlier quarter-final on Wednesday.
"Obviously he doesn't have much to lose being in the semi-finals for the first time. He has been playing terrific tennis in the last 15 months," Djokovic said, turning his attention to his next opponent.
"I have to be ready for the match mentally and not approach it differently. If I play this way, I have a good chance to go through."
A good chance indeed, if history, form, and any other conceivable metric are anything to go by. Djokovic has a perfect semi-final conversion rate in Melbourne: nine matches, nine wins, and ultimately, nine titles. Extend that perfect record and Djokovic will be back where he belongs as the world No 1 by the end of the tournament.
The man tasked with halting the juggernaut is a player whose previous best showing at the Australian Open was the third round in 2020 and whose deepest run at a Grand Slam was last year's fourth round at Wimbledon.
Paul, though, is ready to embrace the moment of facing the tournament's greatest ever male champion.
"To play Novak in Australia would be awesome," Paul said during his press conference during Djokovic's match against Rublev. "Obviously he's pretty comfortable here in Australia so it's going to be a challenging match, but I've been playing some of my best tennis, so it's a good time."
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company%20Profile
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Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
World Cup warm up matches
May 24 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Bristol; Sri Lanka v South Africa, Cardiff
May 25 England v Australia, Southampton; India v New Zealand, The Oval
May 26 South Africa v West Indies, Bristol; Pakistan v Bangladesh, Cardiff
May 27 Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton; England v Afghanistan, The Oval
May 28 West Indies v New Zealand, Bristol; Bangladesh v India, Cardiff
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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