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Novak Djokovic is in the Australian Open semi-final after his opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired with injury in the third set. The Serbian was in huge trouble against the fifth seed until injury struck the Italian down.

Musetti, 23, took the opening two sets 6-4, 6-3 and was, by far, the better player in Melbourne. But there were alarm bells when he called for the medical staff at the start of the third set and received some treatment court-side.

He tried to compete at the same level in the third set, but there was evident physical discomfort. It quickly became obvious Musetti was struggling to get around the court as he was trying to end every point quickly by lashing forehands and backhands as hard as he could.

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But after Djokovic broke his serve and consolidated it to lead 3-1 in what turned out to be the final set, Musetti retired from the contest, booking a place in the last-four for Djokovic. It means the Serbian still has a chance of recording a historic 11th Australian Open victory and surpassing Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

After the game, Djokovic expressed sympathy for his opponent, saying: "I don't know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player. I was on my way home tonight.

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"I don't know what to say, these kinds of things happen. It happened to me a few times but being in the quarters of a slam, two sets up and being in control, so unfortunate.

"I don't know what else I can say, I really wish him a speedy recovery and he should have been a winner today, no doubt."

It's the second time this tournament Djokovic has moved into the next round without completing a match. In round four, he was granted a walkover into the quarter-final after Czech star Jakub Mensik pulled out with an injury.

Acknowledging this previous bolt of luck as well as the escape he was handed against Musetti, Djokovic added: "I have no idea at this stage of my career what serves me and what doesn't.

"I had a walkover in the fourth round. Today, I should have been beaten and at two sets to love down I get the win.

"I am going to double my prayers tonight for sure. Gratitude to the God for giving me this opportunity again and I am going to do my best to use it."

In the last four, Djokovic will face either Jannik Sinner or American star Ben Shelton. On the other side of the draw, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will be taking on Alexander Zverev of Germany in their last four encounter.

Alcaraz will be competing in his first semi-final in Melbourne, having crashed out in the quarter-finals last year at the hands of his German opponent.