MELBOURNE—As title contenders fall by the wayside at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic’s march to a 22nd Grand Slam crown carries an air of inevitability, with American first-time semi-finalist Tommy Paul next in the super Serbian’s crosshairs on Friday.
Fourth seed Djokovic, seeking a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, has been in dominant form in his return to the country, a year after being deported on the eve of last year’s tournament for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.