Jannik Sinner’s coach reacts to Novak Djokovic getting through via injury retirement

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Novak Djokovic was gifted a huge slice of fortune earlier today, as he gained passage into the Australian Open semi-finals.

After all, at one point, it seemed like there was no chance he’d be present in the final four.

Facing Lorenzo Musetti, a man whom he had beaten in nine of their last ten meetings, many expected the same to occur.

However, when the Italian raced into a two-set lead with no reply from Novak Djokovic, fans of the legendary Serbian feared the worst.

Were it not for a devastating injury to Musetti forcing him to retire, there’s no way the 24-time Grand Slam champion would be set to face Jannik Sinner this Friday.

Darren Cahill speaks about Novak Djokovic surviving Australian Open scare

Speaking live on ESPN’s coverage, Darren Cahill actually gave his verdict on Djokovic’s win via Musetti’s retirement.

And, he actually empathised with the 39-year-old, admitting that Jannik Sinner enjoyed a similar bout of luck when he was cramping in his match against Eliot Spizzirri.

He noted: “We have been in Novak’s shoes from today with getting out of jail a few days ago with Spizzirri. We certainly know how Novak feels.

“We did run into Lorenzo in the medical room a little while ago, and he doesn’t seem to be in great shape, so I’m really upset for him.”

Novak Djokovic could follow in Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon footsteps

When watching Musetti head to the net prematurely to confirm his retirement, followed by emotional scenes in the tunnel, most tennis fans will have thought the same thing.

After all, it was impossible not to instantly draw comparisons between the Italian’s withdrawal in Melbourne and Grigor Dimitrov’s untimely injury at Wimbledon.

There, in the quarter-finals as well, he was two-sets-to-love up against Sinner, and poised to claim a historic victory.

That was until his pectoral muscle tore; a freak injury that forced him to retire.

Sinner would take full advantage of this slice of fortune, going on to win the Wimbledon title. Djokovic will be quietly hoping that he can follow suit after getting lucky himself here at the Australian Open.