Djokovic, Sabalenka in ruthless form at Australian Open

MELBOURNE:

Novak Djokovic was at his best in a straight-set demolition job to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday, with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff in equally ruthless touch.

The Serbian superstar regained top form to reach the last 16 after dropping sets in his first two matches while ill, and stepped up another level against Adrian Mannarino.

The French 20th seed, who at 35 is a year younger than Djokovic, is enjoying a late career resurgence.

But he was taught a lesson by the world number one, who won his first 13 matches to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam for the 58th time, equaling Roger Federer’s men’s record.

“I played great, from the first point to the last,” said the defending champion, who is favorite to claim 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 happy with where I’m at right now.”

He will next face 12th seed Taylor Fritz, after the American beat last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

“The times I’ve played him I haven’t been at my best and you have to if you want to finish with someone like Djokovic,” said the Serb’s Fritz.

Djokovic almost always plays the night session at Rod Laver Arena, but this time it fell to the afternoon.

That’s because home hope Alex de Minaur, ranked 10th, is bidding to reach the last eight for the first time, with fifth-ranked Russian Andrey Rublev standing in his way.

The winner will face in-form fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who overcame last year’s semi-finalist Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 and is yet to drop a set.

Defending women’s champion Sabalenka was also in commanding form and was in full command against defending champion Amanda Anisimova on Margaret Court Arena, sweeping the American 6-3, 6-2.

Fourth seed Coco Gauff, who is trying to become the first woman to back up a US Open title with a Grand Slam win in Australia since Naomi Osaka in 2020-21, was almost as impressive.

She swept aside Poland’s white Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes at Rod Laver Arena, with the 85-year-old tennis legend watching from the stands.

“It was an honor to play in front of you, so thank you for coming to my match,” said the 19-year-old Gauff, who had never progressed beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park in four previous attempts.

“Australia’s first quarter-final. Really happy to be in this position and to be here… It’s nice to get over that hump.”

She will now meet Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who beat Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva 6-2, 6-1.

With seven of the top 10 women eliminated in the first week, including world number one Iga Swiatek, both Gauff and Sabalenka have a glorious opportunity to win their second major titles.

They are on the same side of the draw and will not meet in the final, with a potential clash in the last four.

Sabalenka has conceded just 11 games in four matches and is favored to win another title to match her breakthrough Grand Slam crown last year.

If she goes all the way, the 25-year-old will be the first woman to retain the title since compatriot Victoria Azarenka accomplished the feat in 2013.

“I’m getting stronger because I’m enjoying the atmosphere and I really want to stay here as long as I can until the last day,” he said.

Her next opponent will be ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova after she ended the dream run of Russian 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who beat sixth seed Ons Jabeur on her way to the fourth round.

Andreeva’s pushed the Czech player to three sets but ultimately failed to find the killer blow.