Djokovic keeps perfect record in Australian Open semifinals

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open final for the ninth time by beating No. 114-ranked Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The top-ranked Djokovic is 8-0 in his previous trips to the final at Melbourne Park. He’s also unbeaten in all nine semifinals he has contested in Australia. Karatsev was the first man to reach the semifinals on his debut in a Grand Slam tournament but his remarkable run came to an end against the biggest obstacle there is to encounter at Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic gets a day off Friday and says he’ll sit down and eat popcorn to watch the other semifinal between No. 4 Daniil Medvedev and No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas.