Novak Djokovic recorded a clinical 6-2 6-1 6-2 victory over Australia’s Alex De Minaur to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Australian Open.
De Minaur was tipped to be Djokovic’s biggest challenge yet at the 2023 Australian Open, but he faltered on the biggest stage as the Serbian tennis star ran riot.
From 2-2 30-30 in the first set, Djokovic went on to win 14 of the next 15 games in a spellbinding display of faultless hitting that left De Minaur kicking desperately for a hold.
Djokovic wrapped things up in a little over two hours, dropping just five games in the entire match.
Afterward, the question was not how he had dismantled De Minaur with astonishing ease, but why. “Because I wanted to,” Djokovic responded, chuckling.
It was his fastest match of the tournament so far and Djokovic was outstanding. Asked if he had reached perfection on a tennis court, Djokovic replied: “Close to.”
It makes it 25 wins in a row at the Australian Open and on this evidence, a 10th title will surely follow on Sunday.
Djokovic however believes Stefanos Tsitsipas could be his biggest challenge to winning his 10th Australian Open title this week.
He said: “I know Tsitsipas, for example, probably the most experienced guy out of all of them, all the quarterfinalists. He has played already the final stages of a Grand Slam quite a few times.
“What I wanted to say is I wanted to compliment him because he’s someone that looks ready to go for the title, and the way he has been playing, he’s been coming closer and closer.”
Ben Shelton’s dream Grand Slam run also continued as he came from 2-1 down in sets to defeat compatriot J.J. Wolf.
The young American only turned pro last summer and is competing in just his second Grand Slam tournament having made his debut at the US Open.
