Yesterday, Novak Djokovic, accompanied by equally formidable players Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a commanding performance in straight sets.
After dropping sets in his first two matches due to illness, the Serbian superstar found his best form again and advanced to the round of 16; he further elevated himself against Adrian Mannarino.
Just one year younger than Djokovic, the Frenchman ranked 20th has been enjoying a late-career comeback. The world number one, however, who equaled Roger Federer’s men’s record by winning the opening 13 games and advancing to the final eight of a Grand Slam for the 58th time, gave him a lesson.
After winning 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 yesterday, the reigning champion, who is the overwhelming favorite to win an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam championship and an 11th Melbourne trophy, said, “I played great, from the first to the last point.” “Health-wise and tennis-wise, things are moving in the right direction, so I’m really happy with where I am right now.”
Next up for him is American Taylor Fritz, ranked 12th, who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up from the previous year, 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
Fritz said of the Serb, “I haven’t brought my best level when I have played him, and you need to if you are going to complete with someone like Djokovic.”
Although Djokovic was originally scheduled to play in the evening at Rod Laver Arena, he was moved to the afternoon this time. This is due to the fact that fifth seed Andrey Rublev of Russia defeated home favorite Alex de Minaur in a grueling 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-0 epic.
It forced him to play fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who is currently unbeaten and defeated last year’s semifinalist Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
In addition to being in commanding form, defending women’s champion Sabalenka easily defeated Amanda Anisimova, the unseeded American, 6-3, 6-2, at Margaret Court Arena.
Almost as stunning has been fourth seed Coco Gauff’s effort to become the first female since Naomi Osaka in 2020–2021 to follow up a US Open victory with a Grand Slam victory in Australia.
In just 63 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, she defeated the unseeded Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-1, 6-2, while the 85-year-old tennis veteran watched from the stands.
“It was a privilege to compete in front of you, therefore I appreciate you attending my match,” said the 19-year-old Gauff, who has made four prior tries to advance past the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
“First quarterfinal for Australia. Extremely content to be here and in this role. It feels good to get past that obstacle.
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, who defeated Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva 6-2, 6-1, will now face her.
With the top seven seeds in the women’s division eliminated in the first week, including world no. 1 Iga Swiatek, Gauff and Sabalenka have an incredible opportunity to win their second major championship.
They are on the same side of the draw and will likely face off in the last four rather than in the championship game.
With just 11 games given up in her last four matches, Sabalenka is favored to add another championship to her historic Grand Slam victory from the previous year.
If the 25-year-old wins, she will become the first female champion to do it since her countrywoman Victoria Azarenka accomplished the feat in 2013.
She stated yesterday, “I’m getting stronger because I like the atmosphere and I really want to stay here as long as I can, until the very last day.”
She put an end to the incredible run of 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva, who defeated sixth seed Ons Jabeur en route to the fourth round. Her next opponent is ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova.
Despite pushing the Czech player to three sets, Andreeva was ultimately unable to land the decisive blow.
