Nine-time defending champion Novak Djokovic had an easy outing against host Alex de Minaur, beating him in three sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 on Monday in the round of 16 of the Australian Open tennis tournament.
“I wanted to win in three sets. I felt it was my chance to take advantage. Tennis is a fast and dynamic sport, so I kept my concentration and played one of my best matches this season,” said the fifth world number, after his easy victory over the world number 22 at Rod Laver Arena in two hours and six minutes.
And about the injury in his left foot, the former world number one, who has not lost in Melbourne since 2018, said, “I didn’t feel anything today (about the injury). It was great. My medical team did a great job. I don’t want to celebrate early, and I know things can change quickly.” “.
The 35-year-old is looking for his 22nd major title, to equal the record held by his Spanish rival, Rafael Nadal. And if he is crowned next Sunday, he will return to first place in the world for the first time since last June.
In the quarter-finals, he will meet fifth-ranked Russian Andrei Rublev, who qualified with great difficulty against young Dane Holger Rohne. “He has imposed himself lately,” he said of Rublev. “He has great power in serving and forward balls. I hope to achieve a similar result.”
This is the 54th time he reaches the quarter-finals of major tournaments, four times ahead of retired Swiss Roger Federer.
Djokovic missed last year’s edition for not receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, knowing that he obtained a visa to enter Australian territory, but he was detained at the airport for several days before he was deported
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