Novak Djokovic has retired from his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev after losing the first set in a tiebreak. Djokovic missed a regulation putaway volley on top of the net down 5-6,

MELBOURNE, Australia — Of all the praise bestowed on Jannik Sinner after he won his second consecutive Australian Open championship, and third Grand Slam title overall, nothing felt as significant as the comparison made by runner-up Alexander Zverev .

Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record 25th grand slam title has been cut short at the Australian Open after he stunningly retired from his semifinal match due to a left leg injury.

In a stunning development at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic withdrew because of injury after losing the first set of his semifinal match versus Alexander Zverev. Zverev, the No. 2 seed, won a grueling first set in a 7–6 tiebreaker that lasted one hour and 26 minutes.

Novak Djokovic retired injured after losing the opening set of his clash with Alexander Zverev on Friday, sending the German to a first Australian Open final where he will take on defending champion Jannik Sinner for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Djokovic, who retired due to injury after the first set, was booed by the crowd as he walked off Rod Laver Arena.

Aston Villa missed a chance to draw closer to the Premier League's top four on Sunday in a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham United whose Brazilian left back Emerson rescued a point after Jacob Ramsey had got the hosts off to a dream start.

Djokovic is out of the Australian Open after retiring from his semi-final, with Zverev through to face Sinner on Sunday

Alexander Zverev said that Jannik Sinner is as good as Novak Djokovic at his peak and on "a different universe" after the German was well beaten in Sunday's Australian Open final.