Moment Novak Djokovic’s match is delayed due to fireworks display in Adelaide
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Watch the bizarre moment Novak Djokovic’s match is called off due to a rogue fireworks display, as tournament organizers scrambled to find out why the fireworks went off.
- Unplanned fireworks display caused Novak Djokovic’s match to be called off on Friday
- The Serbian star, 35, composed himself to win in straight sets over Denis Shapovalov
- He now faces Russian Daniil Medvedev for a spot in the Adelaide International final.
Novak Djokovic’s tennis matches often provide fireworks, and Friday night at the Adelaide International was literally the case.
The 35-year-old Serbian superstar was on court in his quarterfinal match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov when the pyrotechnics went off.
The referees failed to orchestrate the display from a nearby river and struggled for answers when play was disrupted for nearly 10 minutes early in the first set.
Djokovic called upon all his experience to win in straight sets and improve his career record against Shapovalov to 8-0.
Next up for Djokovic is a Saturday showdown with Russian serve great Daniil Medvedev, a repeat of last January’s Australian Open final.
Novak Djokovic’s tennis matches often provide fireworks, but Friday night at the Adelaide International was literally the case (pictured)
After a delay of almost 10 minutes, Djokovic rallied to beat Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.
“Normally when you play Daniil you have to be ready to go all the way; he is definitely one of the best players in the world in the last five years,” Djokovic said.
“He’s established himself, he’s a Grand Slam winner, a former world number 1, so he’s someone I respect a lot.”
“We’ve had some amazing battles over the years (and) we’re looking forward to another good fight (on Saturday).”
Djokovic has a career record of 8-4 against Medvedev and is riding a three-match skid against the Russian.
Medvedev’s last win against Djokovic was at the 2021 US Open.
Next up for Djokovic is a Saturday showdown with Daniil Medvedev, a repeat of the Australian Open final from last January.
Medvedev knows he will be the underdog and is looking to build some momentum ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.
“Playing against (players like) Rafa and Novak is always a privilege,” Medvedev said.
‘Every time I get this opportunity, I want to win. I want to try to do my best.
Alexei Popyrin’s impressive run in the City of Churches also came to an end on Friday night.
Buoyed after his victory over No.2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier this week, young Australian Popyrin had his chances, but ultimately came up short against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets.
Popyrin, ranked 120 in the world, will now turn his attention to Melbourne Park, where he has been awarded a wild card.