It has been a fortnight of first for Lucas Pouille as he heads into the semifinals of the Australian Open on Friday night.
Pouille had never previously won a single match at the Aussie Open (0-5 lifetime). He had never reached a Grand Slam semifinal. He also had not won a match this season (0-4 at the Hopman Cup and Sydney International). But with a new team around him–led by coach Amelie Mauresmo–it has all turned around for Pouille from completely out of nowhere. The 31st-ranked Frenchman has advanced this fortnight with victories over Mikhail Kukushkin, Maximilian Marterer, Alexei Popyrin, Borna Coric, and Milos Raonic.
Now he gets another first: Novak Djokovic–whom the 24-year-old has never faced–in the semifinals.
“I always thought he’s a great, quality player,” Djokovic said of his upcoming adversary. “What he has done this tournament is fantastic. He has won against some top players; course Milos, Coric. He struggled a little bit with consistency of his results in the last two years. But with the quality of the tennis that he possesses, he deserves to be definitely [in] the top 15–maybe top 10 of the world. He’s got that quality and potential, no question about it.
“It’s funny that we’re going to play first time against each other. We’ve practiced many times. We’ve known each other obviously for a long time. Here we go.”
Pouille may not be quite as excited for this matchup. After all, who wants to run into Djokovic at the Aussie Open? The 31-year-old Serb is already a six-time champion of this event and he is an obvious favorite to lift the trophy yet against as the current world No. 1 and reigning champion of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Djokovic, who has dropped only two sets so far to Denis Shapovalov and Daniil Medvedev, is coming off a second-set retirement from Kei Nishikori on Wednesday night that will replenish the fuel tank on the heels of a relatively tough fourth-rounder against Medvedev.
“I think everybody can beat anybody now,” Pouille said when asked about the rises of players like Medvedev and fellow semifinalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. “Even though the best are still the best–Djokovic, Rafa, Roger…they are still dominating tennis–more and more players are coming up. I think that’s great for the game.”
Pouille is back on the rise, himself, but a borderline impenetrable roadblock is in his way on Friday. Whereas it was Pouille who forced Raonic to change–or try to change–his game-plan, this time he will be the one who has to mix things up because Djokovic will almost certainly enjoy the upper hand in most baseline exchanges.
Respective current form suggests the underdog may have a chance of snagging a set, but Djokovic won’t surrender any more than that; not at his favorite tournament and not on his favorite court.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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wwwinner Nole in three
I thought Pouille’s serve was fantastic against Raonic, and he did a great job of following it up with the second shot. He’ll have to be at that level to hold serve and have a chance. Novak, meanwhile, looked near his best against Nishikori.
Imo, it would be great for men’s tennis to see a Pouille-Tsitsipas final, but the chances of that happening are just about nil.
Without no dout it is djokovic to win….also maby will left the trophy on sunday
Lift….not left
Novak in 4, but I expect there will be a couple of tight sets. Pouille is one of those guys who isn’t afraid of the spotlight and he’s been in incredible form the past two weeks. Djokovic is just on another level right now. Seems this is his tournament to lose, IMO.
As Pouille is picking up form, he can give a tough fight vs the Joker, thats all he can do. But Joker will definitely win. If joker is in the same demolishment mood like he was against Kei Nishikori in QF, then Joker can win in 3 sets. Joker just to send a strong message and challenge to Nadal that he also is in a terrific form might massacre Pouille in 3 easy sets like Nadal did to Tsitsipas. But expecting atleast 1 tight set vs the Joker. 4 sets possible if Novak underestimates Pouille who can be dangerous as he is picking up form fast!
Too much credit is being given to Pouille as he beat a weak Raonic (in returning) and Coric (rusted). Raonic is a one dimensional or 1 trick pony depending on hisbig serve and a weak return for volleying. Amelia Mauresmo (Pouille’s new coach) gets credit for correctly game planning for Raonic who is a poor returner. A win over Coric was expected as Coric was not in form on hard. Coric had no preparatory matches before AO so was possible for Pouille to beat an unsuspecting Pouille piggy backing on the small womens experience of Amelia Mauresmo! But Amelia doesn’t have the skill or experience to game-plan effectively for Novak who is at a 10x level compared to Pouille and game-plans better than anybody (equalled only by Nadal and NOT by Federer who is lazy and depends mostly on his natural talents and confidence to win him matches! A big fan of Federer but.). Amelia’s experience of winning the 2006 AO (& becoming World No.1 in 2006) against women in 2006 will be useless to game plan a win against men that too against World No.1 Novak in 2019 who is too dynamic, too experienced, too wily too cunning and one of the best game planners in the business!
Pouille’s wins over Raonic and Coric are not of the level of Joker’s wins over Medvededv, Tsonga and Shapovalov! Joker winning in 3 sets = 75%. Joker winning in 4 sets = 25%. Over 31.50 is possible. BOL
As expected above The Joker massacred Pouille and sent two (2) loud and clear message to Nadal that:-
1) He can win more spectacularly by beating a hot Pouille (a former World No.10) 6-0, 6-2,6-2 better than Nadal’s beating of an inexperienced (in Grand Slams etc.) Stefanos Tsitsipas in 6-2,6-4,6-0!
A hot Pouille would have beaten the inexperienced Tsitsipas if they had met in the SF/F. Unfortunately Joker rudely jumped in the SF and upset Pouille’s applecart which was taking off smoothly and hotly!
2) That Joker is next coming for Nadal (whom he beat before in the 2018 Wimbeldon SF in 5 sets), win the 1st GS of 2019 and retain his World No.1 ranking atleast until the Clay season starts!
With Rafa serving and returning so well with so much aggression, Joker will have his hands full and a 4 or 5 setter is guaranteed in the Sundays Final. I give Rafa a 1% adv. considering his new, better and powerful serve and aggressive returning. Over should be a big winner on Sunday. Today the over didn’t win as Joker Game planned better than Amelia Mauresmo who didn’t have the skill or high level experience to coach someone to beat the No.1 Player in the World as detailed above.
Lets go RAFA…show that you are still the best! Become World No.1 again on Sunday! Love Joker also, who is also hot and playing very well. Going to root for both and for the over to hit!lol BOL
I think Pouille is tanking. Djokovic can defend the baseline until the cows come home, Pouille is never going to win playing ping pong with him. I thought Pouille would be more aggressive.
Exactly, so disappointing that he falls into the same old trap of staying at the baseline to rally with Djoko. He looks so lifeless to me.
Well at least he gets a game in set two now!
Pouille is not even attempting to serve big. His first serve speed is an average of 150 km/h.
Pouille normally has a big serve so why on earth is he not using it?
This is not worthy of a semi-final.
Mauresmo should leave the court. This is embarrassing fora coach. It’ just like a warm-up practice session.
Disappointing QF and SF matches that Djoko is involved in. Pouille should be called out for lack of efforts!
At least Tsitsipas was game enough to keep on trying and Rafa won by his brilliance. Djoko hardly needs to do anything special to beat this lifeless Pouille!
Very suspicious, the effort Pouille is putting in.
The commies are all gloating about Djoker’s sublime play. He is just being fed balls to hit winners off just like a practice session.
PCB and Raonic might be more worthy opponents for Djoko, too bad they didn’t win their matches.
Even when Pouille has game point he does his best to drop his serve.
Looks like there is a cracker in store for Sunday. I hope Rafa can make it 18. If not Rafa, Nole will do fine
How the hell did Rafa manage to lose to this guy even in 2016
Pouille is tanking, no doubt about it. He’s got a pretty decent serve yet his first serve is an average of 160km/h.
Has Novak paid these guys like Nishikori n pouille to tank ?
That thought has crossed my mind.
At least Raonic would have made a match of it.
If I’m Pouille, I’ll be feeling extremely embarrassed with my own performance out there! It’s a slam SF for goodness sake, show some life and some fighting spirit! Don’t expect to reach slam SF all the time so when you’re there, please put in some effort!
He’s only 24, why so lifeless after a few five setters? Unless he’s hampered by injury or illness, he shouldn’t be playing like this, it’s embarrassing!