All posts tagged: Djokovic

Djokovic stand-in Shelton overhauls Ruud to reach quarter-finals

Djokovic stand-in Shelton overhauls Ruud to reach quarter-finals

Published by Sam Flores

MELBOURNE, Jan 26 : A fired-up Ben Shelton took top billing from the absent Novak Djokovic and reached his third Australian Open quarter-final with a 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 win over Casper Ruud on Monday. Djokovic was a shoo-in for the late-night slot at Rod Laver Arena but ended up a walkover into the quarter-finals when his opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew injured from their fourth round match. Enter American Shelton, who shrugged off a slow start to deliver a crowd-pleasing win over 12th-seeded Norwegian Ruud. Fans missing 10-times Australian Open champion Djokovic punctured the air with cries of “Go Novak!” during the match – but Shelton took it with good humour. “For me, atmosphere is everything. So I want to thank you guys for staying out here,” the eighth seed said on court. “I know you guys were probably looking forward to Novak tonight, I heard it from the stands. “But I hope we didn’t disappoint you with this match.” Shelton, who banged down 14 aces and fired a 228 km/hr serve as he closed …

Alcaraz, Djokovic and Sabalenka reach Australian Open quarter-finals

Alcaraz, Djokovic and Sabalenka reach Australian Open quarter-finals

Published by Sam Flores

Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday and Novak Djokovic joined him without hitting a ball, as the next generation roared. Aryna Sabalenka surged through but Coco Gauff was forced to fight at Melbourne Park, where temperatures eased to 22C after the brutal heat of a day earlier. Top seed Alcaraz was in ominous touch at Rod Laver Arena, dismissing the American Tommy Paul 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-5 in a masterclass. The 22-year-old plays home hope and sixth seed Alex de Minaur, who defeated 10th seed Alexander Bublik in straight sets. Djokovic, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam crown, was scheduled to face Jakub Mensik in the last 16 on Monday but the Czech player pulled out injured. Djokovic will face American ninth seed Taylor Fritz or the fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy for a place in the semi-finals. Read moreSinner battles Australian Open heat to enter last 16, injured Osaka pulls out Alcaraz, who is yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament, has never gone beyond the quarter-finals …

Sinner Overcomes Cramps, Heat to Continue Australian Open Title Defense. Djokovic Gets 400th Win

Sinner Overcomes Cramps, Heat to Continue Australian Open Title Defense. Djokovic Gets 400th Win

Published by Sam Flores

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Limping and desperately trying to stretch out cramps in his arms and legs, Jannik Sinner had just gone down a break in the third set when the extreme heat rules saved him. After being on the verge of an unlikely exit — one of his coaches, Darren Cahill, was urging the 24-year-old Italian just to stick it out for a few more games — Sinner won five of the next six games to take the set against No. 85-ranked Eliot Spizzirri. Another 10-minute “cooling break” between the third and fourth sets followed — an allowance under the extreme heat policy — and Sinner returned for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory that highlighted a dramatic contrast of intense light and shade. “I struggled physically today. I got lucky with the heat rule,” Sinner said, agreeing that the cooler indoor conditions suited him much more than the energy-sapping heat of the first two sets. “I try to stay calm even in a moment like this. If he keeps playing the way he …

Djokovic eases past qualifier Maestrelli at Australian Open | Tennis News

Djokovic eases past qualifier Maestrelli at Australian Open | Tennis News

Published by Sam Flores

The 24-time Grand Slam singles winner cruised into the third round at Melbourne Park. Published On 22 Jan 202622 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Novak Djokovic systematically dismantled Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 ‍6-2 6-2 ‍on Thursday to reach the Australian Open third round, continuing his quest to make more history at the Rod Laver Arena. Fourth seed Djokovic, who is seeking a record-extending 11th Melbourne ⁠Park title and 25th Grand Slam trophy overall to break the ​deadlock with Margaret Court, maintained his steady grip on the ‍second-round clash without needing to shift into top gear. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “I didn’t know much about him [Maestrelli] until a few days ago, it happens more often than not these ‍days,” Djokovic ⁠said about his 23-year-old opponent. “But the respect is always there and I didn’t underestimate him. He’s got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience. He’s got the game to go far and high in the world rankings …

Djokovic reaches 100th Australian Open match win in hunt for 25th Grand Slam

Djokovic reaches 100th Australian Open match win in hunt for 25th Grand Slam

Published by Sam Flores

MELBOURNE, Jan 19 : Novak Djokovic began his hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez in the Australian Open first round on Monday, the Serb easing pre-tournament concerns about his fitness with a sparkling display. Doubts had been raised about Djokovic’s preparedness for the major he has won a record 10 times after the 38-year-old skipped the Adelaide tune-up event and cut short practice on Sunday, but he had no trouble sealing his 100th match win at Melbourne Park. The flawless performance means Djokovic has reached a century of match wins in three of the four Grand Slams, with 95 at the U.S. Open. “What can I say? I like the sound of it – centurion is pretty nice, it’s a nice feeling to be a centurion,” Djokovic said as a montage of his greatest Melbourne moments on Rod Laver Arena played out on the big screen. “History-making is great motivation, particularly in the last five to 10 years of my career. Once …