Top 5 Photos, 1/28: Djokovic pays tribute to Kobe

It was a day filled with nail-biting action. Some top players advanced unscathed while others were pushed to overcome hurdles to reach the finish line. Here are the Top 5 photos from Day 9 in Melbourne. (All photos from Getty Images.)

1

Novak Djokovic was in tears following his  6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (1) win over Milos Raonic. Djokovic considered NBA legend Kobe Bryant both a friend and a mentor. He wore a jacket with Bryant's initials and jersey numbers. Djokovic will face rival Roger Federer in the semifinals.

2

Top-ranked Ashleigh Barty came out on top on Day 9 against two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova. Barty posted a 7-6 (6), 6-2 win over the Czech to set up a semifinal meeting with Sofia Kenin. Barty leads in their head-to-head record, 4-1.

3

Roger Federer has turned into the Harry Houdini of tennis. Federer dug deep to save seven match points and somehow defeat Tennys Sandgren 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-3. Federer is into his 15th Australian Open semifinal and will face Djokovic for the 50th time.

4

Kenin continued her breakthrough run by becoming the first player to book a spot in the Australian Open semifinals. The American defeated Ons Jabeur, 6-4, 6-4, to set up a semifinal clash with world No. 1 Barty.

5

Australians Max Purcell and Luke Saville are having a great week down under. The pair posted a 6-2, 6-4 score against Ken Skupski and Santiago Gonzalez to advance to the semifinals. Purcell and Saville are undefeated in 2020 having captured the ATP Challenger title in Bendigo a few weeks ago.