Novak Djokovic rolled back the years on Tuesday when he produced a sensational performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
The 37-year-old, aiming to win his 11th title in Melbourne, looked to be struggling with an injury problem after losing the first set to his Spanish opponent.
But Djokovic showed monumental effort and skill to fight back and secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the third seed, who is 16 years his junior.
It was a vintage 3 hrs 37 mins show on Rod Laver Arena that puts him into the last four at Melbourne Park for a 12th time, with only Roger Federer (15) doing so more often.
The win also extended his all-time record for most Grand Slam semi-final appearances to 50, four clear of the Swiss great.
The Serbian remains on course to break Margaret Court's overall record of 24 Grand Slam wins at the venue where he has enjoyed more major victories than any other.
But Djokovic admitted in his on-court interview after the match that his fitness is a concern.
“Since I'm still in the tournament, I obviously don't want to reveal too much,” he said about taking a medical timeout during his win.
“The medication started to kick in and it helped, no doubt about it. I had to take another dose – I mean this sounds awful that I had to take another one – but I had to.
“If I had lost that second set, I don't know if I would have continued playing but I felt better and better.
“I managed to play a great couple of games to close out the second set and then I saw Carlos was hesitant from the back of the court and I took my chances.
“Then I started to feel better, started to move better and it didn't bother me or create any hindrance at the end of the match.
“When the medication starts to wear off, I will see what the reality is tomorrow morning. Right now, I will just try to be in the moment and enjoy this victory.”
Next up for Djokovic will be second seed Alexander Zverev who reached the last-four the a second consecutive year with a four-set victory over American Tommy Paul.
Zverev beat the 12th-seed 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 as he looks to secure his first Grand Slam title.
The German will be playing in his ninth Slam semi-final but has yet to be crowned champion in a decade and trying.
“I'm going to prepare myself for a tough battle. I'm going to prepare myself for a very intense and high-level match,” said Zverev, who lost to Daniil Medvedev in five sets last year after holding a 2-0 lead.
“I know I have the level. I've beaten them before. Hopefully I can do that again in two days' time.
“You're not going to get to the semis of a Grand Slam by not deserving to be there and not playing great tennis.”
In the women's draw, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka suffered a scare before overcoming Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
Sabalenka had looked shaky early in her quest to become the first woman to complete a “three-peat” since Martina Hingis in 1999.
The Belarusian top seed had to manage gusty winds and a gutsy opponent to extend her Melbourne win streak to 19 matches.
“Honestly, I was just praying today,” she said. “I was just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions.
“We both were just trying to put the ball back and it was very difficult to play against her.
“She played amazing tennis, she is very aggressive. I'm just super happy I managed to somehow magically win this match.
“It is good to have these tough battles to go through them and be tougher in the later stages of the tournament. I wish I had won this match in straight sets, but it is what it is.”
Sabalenka will face Paula Badosa for a place in the Melbourne final after the Spanish 11th seed stunned Coco Gauff in straight sets.
Badosa fell to the court in celebration after winning 7-5, 6-4, becoming the first Spanish woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Garbine Muguruza, also in Melbourne, in 2020.
It has been a remarkable comeback to tennis for the 27-year-old, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.
“I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world,” said Badosa.
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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- Financial well-being incentives
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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