Novak Djokovic has held up his finish of the discount in establishing a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz, primed to be one of many greatest sights of the Australian Open.
Tremendous Spaniard Alcaraz superior on Sunday afternoon when his fourth spherical opponent, Fifteenth-seed Brit Jack Draper, was compelled to withdraw with a hip harm whereas trailing 7-5 6-1.
Ten-time champion Djokovic then overcame 23-year-old Czech Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Enviornment within the night, successful 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to maintain alive his quest for a document twenty fifth grand slam singles title.
Along with his 10-year-old son Stefan, a uncommon customer to the Open, watching within the stands, Djokovic sealed his Fifteenth quarter-final look – equalling Roger Federer’s all-time document at Melbourne Park.
He additionally stretched his all-time document for grand slam quarter-final appearances to 61.
Djokovic didn’t initially seem ruffled on courtroom however, seemingly upset with some members of the group, refused to partake in an on-court interview.
He took the microphone and made an announcement: “Thanks very a lot for being right here tonight. I respect your presence and help and I’ll see you subsequent spherical. Thanks very a lot”.
Djokovic then signed some autographs earlier than heading off courtroom.
Lehecka posed a real menace to the veteran after an eight-match unbeaten begin to the 12 months, which included the Brisbane Worldwide title.
He had solely dropped one set in three Open matches, whereas his greatest grand slam end result got here at Melbourne Park with a quarter-final berth in 2023.
Whereas world No.29 Lehecka hit some spectacular winners, an unforced error tally of 44 cruelled his possibilities towards the Serbian maestro.
Lehecka struggled to penetrate the sport of the previous world No.1, though he lastly managed to interrupt Djokovic’s serve within the second sport of the third set to degree at 1-1.
That increase of confidence breathed life into the battle and, willed by the big crowd, Lehecka stored his nostril in entrance because the set headed to a tie-breaker.
Djokovic took management early and gave himself two match factors, wrapping it up at his first alternative.
Because of Djokovic’s rating dropping to No.7, the Tuesday evening show-stopper towards third-seeded Alcaraz comes sooner than many would deem worthy.
Final 12 months, the pair squared off within the Olympic gold medal match, received by 37-year-old Djokovic, whereas Acalraz clinched their Wimbledon title showdown for the second straight 12 months.
Alcaraz, 21, has received 4 majors and wishes the Australian Open crown to finish his profession slam.
His greatest end result on the Open was final 12 months’s quarter-final exhibiting, the place he fell to present No.2 Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic exited within the semi-finals, crushed by eventual winner Jannik Sinner.
© AAP
