India, Jan. 29 -- Maybe it was lady luck pulling some late strings for a man redefining longevity in elite individual sport. Maybe it was a sign of stars aligning for one its most glowing objects in tennis chasing a breakaway 25th galaxy. Or maybe, it was just divine intervention.

Call it what you may, Novak Djokovic got fortunate on Wednesday. We aren't saying it, he is.

"Just extremely lucky to get through this one," Djokovic said on court. "He was a far better player. I was on my way home tonight."

Leading two sets to love being technically and tactically superior on the day, Lorenzo Musetti looked well on his way to the Australian Open semi-final. Until the 23-year-old Italian, playing with pain from a potential tear in his right l...