Djokovic beats Raonic, says ready for another epic with Wawrinka
Thursday, 29 January 2015 00:45
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MELBOURNE (Reuters): After booking a much-anticipated semi-final with his Australian Open title usurper Stan Wawrinka on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic wasted little time reminding the Swiss of the heavy burden of being defending champion.
Djokovic’s three-year reign at Melbourne Park was ended by the Swiss last January in an epic five-set quarter-final, which followed a year after fending off Wawrinka in another nerve-jangling marathon in the fourth round.
The top-seeded Serb ensured there would be a third instalment of their blockbuster series Down Under by thrashing eighth seed Milos Raonic 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2 under the lights of Rod Laver Arena after Wawrinka dismantled fifth seed Kei Nishikori in the earlier quarter-final on Wednesday.
Djokovic praised Wawrinka’s impressive win over Nishikori, having watched it closely, but was also glowing about his own form ahead of the showdown with the player who ended his run of 14 consecutive grand slam semi-finals in Melbourne last year.
The four-times champion has not lost a set during the tournament and has only been broken once.
