Novak Djokovic admitted he was "very worried" about his fitness after having to take two medical timeouts in his victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Thursday.
The Serb won 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in their quarter-final meeting but was visibly struggling with the knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the French Open.
During a lengthy second set, Djokovic came from 5-2 down to force a tie-break, saving set point three times, but he also needed to be seen by his trainer twice as the match took its toll.
And after the match, Djokovic was left feeling anxious over the condition of his knee.
"I am very worried, honestly, I don't know what to say," Djokovic said, via AFP. "I finished the match, and the intense pain went away. Whether I hit myself or slipped, I don't even know.
"It all resembled the fourth round of Roland-Garros where I managed to finish the match, and then I found out I was injured. I am pleased with the victory, but I am worried."
Djokovic, who is chasing his first-ever Olympic gold medal, had already confirmed he would be talking to his medical team after expressing his concerns.
If he is able to play, he will face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, who beat defending champion Alexander Zverev, in the semi-final. The pair faced off at Wimbledon last month, with the former world number one coming out on top in straight sets.
"It's day-by-day now," Djokovic said.
"Musetti won against Zverev today, he’s in terrific form. [He’s] played at least semis in every event, I think, for the last five, six events.
"We had an incredible late-night finish here in the third round of Roland-Garros - I think it was up to 3am we played - so I hope I can be physically fit for that one because that's what's going to be necessary to try and get the win."
Kerr targets top seed as Team USA gun for gold in Paris
Steve Kerr laid down the marker for his United States team ahead of their final group game at the Paris Olympics.
Team USA won their first two Group C encounters, overcoming Serbia and South Sudan.
They face already-eliminated Puerto Rico on Saturday, and though they are assured of progression to the last eight, there is still plenty on the line for the USA.
Kerr's team must win by more than four points to be sure of clinching the top seed for the knockout stage, which would mean they would be drawn against the lowest-ranked team in the quarter-finals.
"We want the No. 1 seed," Kerr said.
"It gives you the best matchup in the quarter-finals. So if we drop down to two or three – which I think is unlikely, but we've got to take care of our business – we possibly have a much tougher opponent."
Points differential is the primary tie-breaker to settle the seeds in the knockout stage. Canada and Germany both stayed perfect through their group campaigns, with the latter occupying the top seed as it stands with a differential of +43.
"The point differential is a big thing, and so even the first two games we were focusing on not taking our foot off like you do in the NBA sometimes," guard Derrick White added.
"So it's a little different than what we're used to, but that's all part of the tournament."
While Jrue Holiday nurses an injury, Anthony Davis is expected to feature for Team USA, while Kevin Durant is embracing his role as a super-sub.
"It's basketball," said veteran Durant.
"It really doesn't matter who starts. It's about really who finished the game, who put their impact on the game while they're in the game.
"So I just try to do my best to impact it any way I can."
Should the USA claim the top seed, they could go up against Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece, who beat Australia to finish ahead of Spain in Group C.
Greece have to wait on the result of Serbia v South Sudan in order to see if they will qualify.
Badosa hails Raducanu after three-set thriller in Washington
Paula Badosa lauded Emma Raducanu for pushing her all the way in a three-set encounter at the Washington Open.
Badosa, the world number 62, ended Raducanu's promising run in the American capital with a 4-6 7-5 6-4 triumph on Friday.
The Spaniard needed two hours and 45 minutes to overcome the 2021 US Open champion and reach her first semi-final of the season.
"She was playing amazing, honestly," Badosa said after meeting Raducanu for the first time.
"She took me to the limit in all the phases; physically, mentally, tennis-wise. I knew I had to play very aggressive.
"In the beginning, I was missing a little bit so I had to adjust. She was also making me miss. She's very, very fast. I never played her, so it's the first time I experienced her.
"I was surprised how smart she is on court and I like the way she plays."
Badosa will next face Caroline Dolehide, who beat Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.
'I have waited almost 20 years' – Djokovic delighted to end long wait for Olympic singles final
Novak Djokovic was relieved to end his Olympic semi-final hoodoo and finally reach the singles final at the Games for the first time.
The 24-time major champion defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-2 to ensure he would walk away from Roland-Garros with a medal.
Djokovic will now face number two seed Carlos Alcaraz in a rematch of last month's Wimbledon final.
The 37-year-old was aware of the enormity of the achievement in going one step further, having suffered semi-final losses to Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev in three previous Olympic semi-finals, though he did claim bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008.
"I have been waiting for this for almost 20 years," Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
"I've played four Olympic Games, this is my fifth and '’ve never passed the semi-finals. I lost three semi-finals in my first four Olympic Games.
"I managed to overcome this big hurdle. I must be honest and say that I was thinking about all the semi-finals that I lost."
The Serbian had to overcome injury concerns after his quarter-final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Djokovic was more encouraged by his mental strength against an opponent that has made great strides on the ATP Tour this season in Musetti.
"I just tried to be in the present moment. I played against a player who is in great form and really came out firing from both ends," Djokovic added.
"I just tried to maintain the focus and do what I have to do."
Sunday's final between Djokovic and Alcaraz will be the seventh meeting between the pair, with the head-to-head currently at three apiece.
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