Novak Djokovic had a dominant performance at the Australian Open on Sunday, reaching the quarterfinals in straight sets with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff equally relentless.
The Serbian superstar regained his form and reached the last 16 despite losing sets in his first two matches due to illness, raising his level again against Adrian Mannarino.
The 20th-seeded Frenchman is 35 years old, a year younger than Djokovic, but is experiencing a late career resurgence.
But the world number one taught him a lesson by winning his first 13 matches and reaching the last eight of a Grand Slam for the 58th time, equaling Roger Federer’s men’s record.
“I played great from the first point to the last,” said the defending champion, who is the favorite to win his 11th title in Melbourne and a record-tying 25th Grand Slam title. .
“I’m really happy with where I’m at right now because I’m moving in the right direction health-wise and tennis-wise.”
Djokovic almost always plays in the night session at Rod Laver Arena, but this was Time postponed to afternoon delay.
That’s because home favorite No. 10 seed Alex de Minaur is aiming to reach the last eight for the first time, with Russia’s No. 5 seed Andrei Rublev standing in his way.
In another match in the fourth round, in-form fourth seed Jannik Sinner will face last year’s semi-finalist Karen Khachanov.
Seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who defeated Djokovic in the semifinals, will next face 12th seed Taylor Fritz of the United States for the right to face Djokovic.
Defending women’s champion Sabalenka was in top form and in complete control against unseeded Amanda Anisimova at Margaret Court Arena, defeating the American 6-3, 6-2.
Fourth seed Coco Gauff is almost as impressive as she attempts to become the first female player to win the US Open title with an Australian Grand Slam win since Naomi Osaka in 2018-19 was.
She defeated unseeded Magdalena Flech of Poland 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes at Rod Laver Arena as the 85-year-old tennis legend watched from the stands.
Thank you for coming to the game because it was an honor to play in front of you all,” said Gauff, 19, who had never progressed beyond the fourth round in her previous four attempts at Melbourne Park. .
“First Australian quarter-final. I’m very happy to be in this position and to be here… It’s cool to get over that hump.”
Next she goes to Russian qualifier Maria – She will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who defeated Timofeyeva 6-2, 6-1.
Gauff and Sabalenka have a strong chance to win a second major title after seven of the top 10 women, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, were eliminated in the first week.
Both sides are on the same side due to a draw, so there is a possibility that they will not face each other in the final, but will face each other in the best four.
Sabalenka has lost just 11 of her four matches, but is considered the favorite to add to last year’s Grand Slam breakthrough and win another title.
If she finishes, the 25-year-old will become the first woman to hold her title since her compatriot Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat in 2013.
“Enjoying the atmosphere has given me energy. I want to stay here as long as possible until my last day,” she said.
Her next opponent will be unseeded 16-year-old Mila Andreeva of Russia or No. 9 seed Barbora Kreichkova.
If Andreeva continues her dream run, she will become the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park since Martina Hingis in 1997, to whom she has often been compared.
