Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic shows Andrey Rublev the limits in the quarterfinals

Novak Djokovic extended his phenomenal record to 26 wins in a row at the Australian Open, and he even won the last 39 games on Australian soil.

“I couldn’t be happier with my tennis, I play very solidly, even from the baseline. In summary, I can say that I played the best in the important moments, that makes me really happy,” said the 35-year-old with great satisfaction with his performance at the Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic put the first pinprick of the game, took the service from Rublev to make it 3-1 and led 4-1 after just 23 minutes.

“Novak does it better, goes to the corners earlier and thus avoids the long rallies,” explained Boris Becker at Eurosport.

Djokovic ensures clear conditions

Rublev couldn’t get his foot in the door, didn’t get a break chance and had to give up the first set after 39 minutes. “But the 1:6 looks too clear,” said Becker.

Things clearly went in Djokovic’s favor afterwards as well. The 35-year-old had to fend off the Russian’s first breakballs, but he took his chances coldly and grabbed the second set with a double break.

It was impressive how consistently Djokovic looked for his opportunities and Rublev never gave the feeling that he could turn the game around.

Becker: “Serve helps Djokovic enormously”

“The serve helps Novak enormously. He scores points quickly and saves energy,” analyzed Becker, alluding to the thigh problems that hampered the superstar in the first three rounds.

Djokovic quickly made things clear in the third set, converting Rublev’s first service game into a break.

After a total playing time of 2:05 hours, the superstar used his first match point and entered a Grand Slam semi-final for the 44th (!) time in his career.

“In my opinion, the result was a bit too clear, but Rublev didn’t have the class to counter it,” said Eurosport expert Becker.

Djokovic saw it similarly. “Overall, the result, especially in the first two sets, was too clear.”

What was striking was the Serb’s class in service. 14 aces and a whopping 80 percent point rate over the first serve were an excellent basis for Djokovic, who is the big favorite against Tommy Paul in the semifinals on Friday.