Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Tuesday, 24 January 2023 01:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic greets Australia’s Alex De Minaur after winning their men’s singles match on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23
MELBOURNE, AFP: Novak Djokovic demolished Alex de Minaur for the loss of just five games to sweep into a 13th Australian Open quarter-final and send an ominous warning Monday, showing few signs of his troublesome hamstring.
The Serbian brushed past the Australian 22nd seed 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to move a step closer to a 10th title at Melbourne Park, and 22 major crown. With his left thigh again heavily strapped, the 35-year-old was a man on a mission, expending as little energy as possible in a 2hrs 6mins romp to inch within sight of Rafael Nadal's slam record.
He will meet fifth seed Andrey Rublev for a semi-final berth after the Russian toppled Danish teen Holger Rune in a tense five-set clash on the same court.