Australian Open 2019, quarter-finals, Highlights: Novak Djokovic to face Lucas Pouille; Naomi Osaka to take on Karolina Pliskova

Djokovic vs Nishikori 6-1, *4-1. Novak Djokovic through to semis after Kei Nishikori retires

Djokovic breaks again. Nishikori takes off his cap and decides that he cannot carry on at his best. Djokovic gives him a hug and consoles him. The sizeable Japanese contingent gives him a thunderous applause nevertheless as he walks off RLA. Remember, Nishikori had spent 13 hours and 47 minutes on court coming into the semi-finals, the second-most among all the quarter-finalists. Djokovic, in contrast, had spent four hours less.  

Djokovic vs Nishikori 6-1. Novak Djokovic claims first set

Djokovic wraps up the set in just 31 minutes with a love-hold. Nishikori calls for the trainer immediately to seek treatment on his right thigh. Hope it's nothing serious.

Raonic vs Pouille 6-7, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 4-6. Lucas Pouille enters semi-final.

Pouille wins the first point with a crisp forehand winner. At gamepoint, Raonic opts to leave a Pouille shot at the net thinking that  it's floating beyond. The ball lands comfortably inside the line much to Raonic's frustration. Pouille gets a match point after Raonic sends a backhand to the net. Raonic conducts the next point from the net. He plays a delicate drop shot which Pouille tries to get to but can't return. Pouille gets another matchpoint with a ferocious backhand passing shot. Raonic saves it with a well-placed inside-out forehand winner. Raonic volleys wide to give Pouille a third matchpoint. Raonic hits his forehand wide to send Pouille's box into a frenzy. The Frenchman has made it to his Major semi-final.

Raonic vs Pouille 6-7, 3-6, 7-6 (2). Milos Raonic snatches third set.

Raonic gets two mini-breaks to take a 3-0 lead. The Canadian is pumped up now. He holds both his serves to go 5-0 up. Raonic breaks again to get six setpoints. Pouille saves one point on his serve after Raonic nets his return. Raonic whips a forehand off his ankles wide but finally converts at the third time of asking. We're going into a fourth set.

Raonic vs Pouille 6-7, 3-6. Lucas Pouille clinches second set

Pouille brings out the serve and volley to go 30-0 up and then hits a service winner to get three setpoints. He seals the set with a fiery ace out wide! This has been a comfortable second set for the 28th seed. The Frenchman takes a toilet break at the end of the set.

Raonic vs Pouille 6-7 (4). Lucas Pouille wins the first set

Raonic breaks back before Pouille fires in an ace. Raonic double faults to give Pouille the break. Pouille can't control Raonic's serve which kicks up on him. Pouille gets two setpoints with a crosscourt forehand winner. Pouille sneaks in a forehand passing winner beyond Raonic to win the set. 

Williams vs Pliskova 4-6, 6-4, 5-7. Karolina Pliskova through to the semi-final

Pliskova races through her serve to get triple breakpoint. She squanders one with a forehand to the net. Williams saves a second one with a backhand winner to wrongfoot Pliskova. Is there another twist in the tale? Nope. Williams sends her forehand to the net and Pliskova raises her arms in joy. She can't believe it. This has been an amazing tennis match. 

Williams vs Pliskova 4-6, 6-4. Serena Williams wins the second set

Pliskova goes 40-15 up but Williams claws her way back into the game with a pair of backhand winners. Pliskova gets a gamepoint with an ace but Williams fights back with good attacking play to get a set point. Pliskova nets her backhand to give Williams the break and the set. We're going into a decider!

Williams vs Pliskova 4-6. Karolina Pliskova wins the first set

Williams lets out a frustrated cry after missing a forehand volley. Pliskova takes a 30-15 lead with the old serve and volley. She gets two setpoints after Williams hits her forehand long. She fires in an angled ace out wide to clinch the first set. 

Osaka vs Svitolina 6-4, 6-1. Naomi Osaka is through to the semi-final!

What a brilliant performance from the fourth seed! She was relentless right from the start and was helped along the way by Svitolina struggling with issues with her shoulder. Regardless, Osaka was the superior player on the day and is deservedly in her first Australian Open semi-finals.

Osaka vs Svitolina 6-4. Naomi Osaka wins first set.

An inside-out backhand from Osaka sets up an easy forehand winner for the fourth seed. She charges up to the net and goes 30-0 up with a forehand winner. A wide backhand from Svitolina gives Osaka three setpoints. She misses one by sending her backhand wide trying to aim for the corner ob Svitolina's forehand side. She lets out a shriek out of frustration after she squanders the remaining two setpoints. She makes no mistake on the next point with a vicious backhand return right in the corner. She finally gets the break and clinches the first set.