An odd loss for Sloane Stephens

MELBOURNE, Australia - Sloane Stephens sat for nine minutes, mostly staring at the court and trying to forget the curious timing of Victoria Azarenka's medical timeout. She may have been the only one trying to ignore it.

The 19-year-old American had just saved five match points and broken Azarenka. But she knew she had to hold serve to stay in her first Grand Slam semifinal whenever Azarenka, the No. 1 player and defending Australian Open champion, returned to Rod Laver Arena.

The restless murmuring in the crowd gave way to slow claps. Why had Azarenka chosen that very moment for a medical break?

Azarenka eventually returned, and Stephens won only three more points, losing 6-1, 6-4.

"I almost did the choke of the year," the 23-year-old Belarusian said during an on-court interview. "At 5-3, having so many chances, I couldn't close it out."

The crowd gave Azarenka tepid applause as she left the court. In Saturday night's final, she'll face 2011 finalist Li Na, who earlier on Thursday beat No. 2-ranked Maria Sharapova, 6-2, 6-2.

Medical staff said Azarenka had timeouts for treatment of left knee and rib injuries. The rib needed to be manipulated because it was affecting her breathing. Tournament director Craig Tiley said Azarenka hadn't broken any rules.

For her part, Stephens seemed sympathetic. She had to wait through a medical timeout Wednesday when Williams received treatment for a sore back after she injured herself during play.

"I mean, when you take a medical break or timeout, obviously it's for a reason," she said.

Besides, Stephens said, it didn't affect the outcome of the match.

"No, not at all. She played obviously a really good match," she said.

Novak Djokovic dispensed with No. 4-seeded David Ferrer, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, in the night match, saying he "played perfectly" to reach his third consecutive Australian Open title match. Then he dispensed some medical advice of his own.

The Serb, who won the Australian titles in 2008, 2011 and 2012, wore a white shirt with a red cross on the back, pretending to be a doctor to treat Henri Leconte during a legends doubles match at Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic will play the winner of Friday's semifinal between No. 2 Roger Federer, a four-time Australian Open champion, and No. 3 Andy Murray, the U.S. Open champion.