Australian Open
Tennis star Djokovic easily makes it to the quarterfinals
Undefeated for 25 games: Novak Djokovic. photo
© Ng Han Guan/AP/dpa
Tennis star Novak Djokovic reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in Melbourne with a show of power.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in Melbourne with a show of force.
The 35-year-old Serb outclassed the overwhelmed Australian Alex de Minaur in a very one-sided round of 16 match and easily won 6:2, 6:1, 6:2 after just 2:06 hours. Unlike the two previous rounds, Djokovic’s thigh seemed to cause significantly fewer problems.
Because of Djokovic’s injury and the strong performance of number 22 de Minaur, the Australian fans had hoped for a surprise – but this hope quickly faded in the Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic was wide awake from the start, physically fit and superior in almost every respect. De Minaur lacked the quality for a coup against the tournament favorite, who is only three wins away from the 22nd Grand Slam tournament victory. Djokovic would draw level with record holder Rafael Nadal in the final on January 29.
On Wednesday, Djokovic, who has been undefeated in 25 games at the Australian Open, will first fight Russia’s Andrei Rublev for the semi-final ticket. The 25-year-old had previously averted the almost certain end several times in a gripping five-set thriller against Denmark’s young star Holger Rune (19) and scored 6: 3, 3: 6, 6: 3, 4: 6, 7: 6 (11: 9) won thanks to a lucky net roller at match point.