Djokovic beats Rublev to advance to Australian Open semis

MELBOURNE - Serbia's top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic is through to the Australian Open semi-finals after defeating Russian Andrey Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday.

Djokovic, who won after a little over two hours of play, now has a 3-1 head-to-head record against Rublev.

Djokovic will face American Tommy Paul in the semi-final on Friday in what will be their first-ever encounter.

World number 35 Paul defeated compatriot Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The prize money at the Australian Open is 48.5 mln euros.