By Lance Jenkinson
Top seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic has delivered the most brutal knock out blow to underdog Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the 2019 Australian Open semi final.
The writing was on the wall for Pouille not long after the two players had entered the court at Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.
Djokovic broke in the second game of the first set, then in the fourth game and again in the sixth, and 23 minutes later had put up a bagel on the scoreboard to complete the most one-sided of opening sets.
It did not get much better for Pouille thereafter, in what turned into a nightmare evening in the spotlight.
The 28th seed picked up four games, but was mauled 6-0 6-2 6-2 in one hour, 23 minutes.
“It’s definitely one of the best matches I’ve ever had on this court,” Djokovic said. “Everything worked the way I imagined it before the match – and even more so.
“Tough one for Lucas, but he had a great tournament and I wish him all the best for the rest of the season.”
Djokovic hardly needed to get out of first gear to get the better of Pouille.
The 31-year-old’s defence was his staple, something Pouille was never able to crack.
Djokovic dictated the flow of the rallies with his precise hitting early in points.
Barely did Djokovic miss his spots and, if he did, he did not do err twice in a row.
Djokovic easily held his serve and did not have to face a single break point the whole match.
It was as lop-sided a semi final as you ever likely to see.
Pouille overawed
Pouille looked overawed from the moment he set foot on centre court.
The 24-year-old had impressed in his run to the semi final, in particular with his victory over Milos Raonic in the quarter finals.
Pouille’s serve was nowhere near as effective as it needed to be and his game will filled with unforced errors.
It turned into an ugly night for Pouille, though he will be better for the experience.
Pouille’s last five appearances at the Australian Open have yielded first round exits – so this is vast improvement on previous years.
“It was his first semi final,” Djokovic said. “The occasion is different. Obviously there’s more weight, there’s more importance in the match.
“He’s going to get more of these kind of matches I’m sure in the latter stages of grand slams and I definitely wish him that.”
Sunday special
So, we get the dream final – Djokovic versus Nadal, No. 1 versus No. 2.
Clear your commitments on Sunday night because this final has the makings of a classic.
Both Djokovic and Nadal has enjoyed dream runs to championship Sunday and appear to be at the peak of their form.
The pair have already met once in an Australian Open final, when they played in a five hour, 53 minute epic in 2012.
Djokovic won on a night that saw the record for the longest grand slam final broken.
“First of all, I would definitely want to buy the ticket for that match,” Djokovic said, recalling that unforgettable night seven years ago. “That’s once in a lifetime experience. Hopefully the outcome can be the same for me.”
Currently tied with Roy Emerson and Roger Federer with six Australian Open titles, Djokovic has the chance to become the first male to reach seven titles at the event.
Road to the final
Novak Djokovic
1R: d Mitchell Krueger 6-3 6-2 6-2
2R: d Jo Wilfred-Tsonga 6-3 7-5 6-4
3R: d Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 4-6 6-0
4R: d Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-3
QF: d Kei Nishikori 6-1 4-1 ret
SF: d Lucas Pouille 6-0 6-2 6-2
Rafael Nadal
1R: d James Duckworth 6-4 6-3 7-5
2R: d Matthew Ebden 6-3 6-2 6-2
3R: d Alex de Minaur 6-1 6-2 6-4
4R: d Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-1 7-6 (4)
QF: d Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-4 6-2
SF: d Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-4 6-0
