Pro Media & News

2023 Australian Open: Paul's run ended by Djokovic in SF

Arthur Kapetanakis | January 27, 2023

Tommy Paul gave nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic all he could handle at the start of their semifinal matchup on Friday, but the Serbian had all the answers in Rod Laver Arena. In a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 victory, Djokovic passed one of his toughest tests of the Melbourne fortnight to end Paul's best Grand Slam run.

 

In the women's doubles competition, No. 2 seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula also saw their campaign come to a close with a 6-2, 7-6(7) defeat to the Japanese duo of Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara.

 

There was some American success on Day 12, as junior Learner Tien advanced to the boys' singles final and won the boys' doubles title with compatriot Cooper Williams. 

Paul craving titles after breakout run

Paul quickly found himself 5-1 down in his first meeting with 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, with the Serbian creating a set point to seal a 6-1 opening stanza. But Paul stormed back to level the set at 5-5, getting the better of the fourth seed in extended baseline rallies as he garnered the support of the Laver crowd.

 

Djokovic would regroup to snatch the opening set, starting a run of seven straight games to take control of the match. Even within that stretch, Paul threatened with three break points at 2-0 in the second, troubling a weary Djokovic who survived with big serving. Just when it looked like there was a way back for the American, the fourth seed found a second wind to sail through the finish.

"It was weird," Paul said of the opening set. "When the match started, it felt like things were getting away from me really fast, felt like points were moving really fast, time in between point time was going really quick.

 

"He gave me a couple looks. I extended a couple points. I feel like he got a little irritated with something. The crowd started getting a little rowdy. It started getting really fun.

 

"I got it to 5-all. I don't really remember what happened there... Obviously I should have done something different, or he stepped up and played great tennis."

 

Despite the defeat, the 25-year-old can take plenty of positives from his time in Melbourne. He will leave Australia as the newest member of the ATP's Top 20, set for a career high of world No. 19. Paul will be one of three Americans in the Top 20 on Monday — behind No. 8 Taylor Fritz and No. 15 Frances Tiafoe — and one of 10 in the Top 50.

 

"I'm stoked to have made the semis here," he said in his post-match presser. "Great two weeks for me. Obviously I've got to carry it throughout the whole season. It's about consistency, you know? I don't want to be a one-hit wonder."

 

Speaking about his goals for the rest of the 2023 season, he later added: "I want to keep moving up the rankings. It would be nice to end the year Top 10. I feel like the way I started year is the right path to do it.

 

"Obviously I have a lot of matches to win this year. Hopefully get some titles, too. I don't want to just lose in semifinals. I want to have my name on some trophies this year."

Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Visit the Anisimova: New U.S. No. 1 page
    Anisimova: New U.S. No. 1
    January 06, 2026
    Amanda Anisimova is the new No. 1 American in the WTA singles rankings after she rose to a career-high of world No. 3 on Monday. Read More
  • Visit the DC first rd qualifier page
    DC first rd qualifier
    January 05, 2026
    Rising stars Ethan Quinn and Emilio Nava and accomplished veterans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram will represent the U.S. in its Davis Cup Qualifying First Round tie vs. Hungary to be played February 7-8. Read More
  • Visit the 2025 in review page
    2025 in review
    December 17, 2025
    Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Taylor Townsend all won Grand Slam titles in 2025, with four American women and two U.S. men ending the season in the singles Top 10. Read More