Novak Djokovic demonstrated his peak form with a straight-sets victory, securing a spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff mirrored his dominance with ruthless performances in their respective matches.
Djokovic, the Serbian superstar, showcased a return to top form after overcoming illness in the early rounds. He faced Adrian Mannarino and delivered a masterclass, winning the first 13 games and reaching the quarter-finals, marking his 58th appearance in this stage of a Grand Slam—equaling Roger Federer’s men’s record.
“I played great, from the first to the last point,” commented Djokovic, the defending champion and a strong contender for an 11th Melbourne title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown. “It’s going in a positive direction, health-wise, tennis-wise, so I’m really pleased with where I am at the moment.”
In the women’s category, defending champion Sabalenka continued her dominant run, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile, fourth seed Coco Gauff exhibited impressive form, breezing past Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes. Both players have a significant opportunity to claim their second major title, especially with several top-seeded players eliminated in the early rounds.
Gauff expressed her joy at reaching the quarter-finals, acknowledging the presence of the legendary 85-year-old tennis icon in the stands. She will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the next round.
With their compelling performances, Sabalenka and Gauff are on the same side of the draw, setting the stage for a potential clash in the semi-finals. Sabalenka, who has dropped only 11 games in four matches, aims to defend her title, while Gauff seeks her first major title in Australia.
Sabalenka’s next opponent will be determined between unseeded Russian 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva or ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova, offering an exciting prospect for the upcoming matches in the women’s category.
Reported By AFP.
