Serbia is Viktor Troicki’s homeland but Sydney is fast becoming his favourite city, with the world No.29 two wins away from making open-era history in Australia.
Two-time defending champion Troicki will meet Luxembourg lefty Gilles Muller on Friday in the semi-finals of the Sydney International.
Lleyton Hewitt and Pete Sampras are among the players to have won back-to-back titles in Sydney but nobody has lifted the trophy in three consecutive years since Australian John Bromwich from 1937-40.
“If it happens, it would be great. I’d be honoured, but I’m not thinking about it,” Troicki said on Thursday.
Troicki was disappointed with the nature of his 14th-straight win at the event; a walkover following Philipp Kohlschreiber’s withdrawal because of a back injury.
“It’s pretty weird to go into the semi-finals with only one win,” Troicki said, having enjoyed a bye in the opening round.
But the 30-year-old was thrilled with his form in Sydney, having already spent five weeks in Australia in an effort to prepare for the season-opening grand slam.
“This is by far the most-successful tournament for me … I also played one final here in 2011,” he said.
“I don’t know what it is – it’s a nice court, nice arena … great fans, great city.
“I come to Australia early to prepare with my coach, so … I’m more prepared than the other guys. When they get here, they’re shocked by the heat and time change.
“That’s a big advantage.”
Muller’s preparation for the Australian Open has been in sharp contrast. A mystery illness floored him in Brisbane, where he spent most of his time in a hotel room.
But Muller proved both fitness and form on Thursday, cruising into the final four at the expense of second seed Pablo Cuevas.
Muller reached the Sydney semis for a third-straight year by beating world No.22 Cuevas 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in one hour and 36 minutes.
Muller, who had never progressed beyond the fourth round of the Australian Open and chasing his maiden ATP title, was still crook last week when he hit Sydney.
Three-set struggles against Alexandr Dolgopolov and Matt Barton, the latter in Wednesday’s heatwave, ensued.
But Muller looked a different player on Thursday. Cuevas saved six set points during the first set, including two in the tiebreaker, but failed to halt Muller’s march to victory.
“I’m definitely feeling better. After getting through that (Wednesday’s heat), I can get through anything,” Muller said.
“I don’t know what it was … I had a fever for a couple of days and was not able to get out of the (hotel) room at all.
“When I got here, it was still quite tough.”
Andrey Kuznetsov, formerly the only player in the ATP’s top 50 yet to feature in a semi, enjoyed a comeback 2-6 6-4 6-1 win on Thursday over fourth seed Pablo Carreno Busta.
Kuznetsov will meet top seed Dominic Thiem or Brit Daniel Evans in the other semi.
