Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a 22e career Grand Slam title by easily beating local favorite and 22e seeded Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 Monday in the fourth round of the Australian Open. He then stated that his hamstring injury was no longer an issue for him.
“I didn’t feel anything abnormal today,” said the Serb, stressing in passing that he had taken “a lot” of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Djokovic, who sat out the tournament at Melbourne Park last year due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, can still hope for a 10e Australian Open title, he who, in this match, did not face the slightest break point and stole the serve of his opponent six times.
Djokovic will now face fifth seed Andrey Rublev. The Russian never let up: he erased a 2-5 deficit in the fifth inning, faced two match points as he trailed 5-6 and erased a deficit of 0-5 then 2-7 in the 10-point super tiebreaker before finally beating ninth seed Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4 -6, 7-6 (11-9) at Rod Laver Arena.
Rublev triumphed with a backhand return that ricocheted off the top of the net before ending up narrowly on Rune’s side. Rublev then lay on his back, behind the baseline, and threw both arms up in disbelief. Just like Rune, by the way.
“I don’t know what to say, man. I’m shaking, admitted Rublev, who is 0-6 in the quarterfinals of a major career tournament. That bullet was sure to end up on my side, and somehow it ended up on the other side. »
Also, US College Tour champion Ben Shelton extended his stay in Australia after defeating fellow countryman JJ Wolf 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6 -2 at John Cain Arena.
Shelton, 89e world player, participates in his second career Grand Slam tournament. He will then face another compatriot, Tommy Paul, 35e in the world, who beat the 24e seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
They join Sebastian Korda — whose father won the Australian Open in 1998 — as three United States representatives reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the first time since 2000. At the time, this trio consisted of Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Chris Woodruff.
Shelton, Paul and Korda are all in the quarterfinals for the first time in their careers.
Linette in the quarter-finals
The women’s fourth seed, Caroline Garcia, was defeated 7-6 (3), 6-4 by Magda Linette, who thus secured her place in the quarter-finals.
Taking part in a 30e major tournament, the 30-year-old Pole had three breaks – one more than the Frenchwoman, who committed 33 unforced errors (Linette limited herself to 14).
Garcia made the semifinals in New York last year.
Linette was very effective at net, scoring six times in nine runs.
In the first set, she erased losses of 0-3, 2-4 and 3-5.
Her next rival will be Karolína Plíšková, who beat Zhang Shuai (6-4, 6-0).
Linette is at 45e WTA rank. Former queen of the circuit, Plíšková is now 31e.
Earlier Monday, fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2. This takes her to the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the first time in her career.
Sabalenka remained in control after the first set, which ended in a double fault by Bencic, 12e first in the series.
“I’m very happy with this victory against an incredible player,” said Sabalenka, who had four breaks.
Sabalenka said she worked hard to control her emotions during games.
“I realize that negative emotions are not going to help me on the pitch. You just have to stay strong and keep believing,” said Sabalenka, who will now face Donna Vekić.
With favorite Iga Świątek and No. 2 Ons Jabeur having been ruled out, third-seeded Jessica Pegula is the highest-ranked player still on the draw. She will face Victoria Azarenka in the next round, while Elena Rybakina will meet Jeļena Ostapenko.