Novak Djokovic serves it hot

MELBOURNE, January 21

Novak Djokovic marked a rare daytime Australian Open appearance with a crushing win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino today as the 10-time champion flirted with a ‘triple bagel’ before sealing a 6-0 6-0 6-3 win to reach the quarterfinals.

Djokovic, handed an early session slot at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2021, said earlier in the week he had been battling a viral affection and the world No. 1 was coughing and appeared to be breathing heavily at times during the match.

The Serb’s health issues had no impact on his play, however, and with the roof at Rod Laver Arena closed due to rain he eased to a 32nd straight match win at the tournament and a 58th Grand Slam quarterfinal, equalling the all-time record of Swiss maestro Roger Federer.

“The way I played today, I don’t mind playing in the day to be honest,” said Djokovic, who is chasing a 25th Grand Slam to go past Margaret Court. “It’s no secret I like to play at 7pm but it was not too bad today at all.”

Tricky left-hander Mannarino can pose problems for the best of players by working the angles and the world No. 19 pushed Djokovic hard in the opening game of the contest but still found himself down a set. Djokovic let out a roar after breaking early in the second set, and delivered another body blow in the third game when he held serve after six deuces. Mannarino finally won a game early in the third to draw level at 1-1, avoiding a rare “triple bagel”, and smiled as the crowd cheered. — Reuters

Day 8 highlights

SABALENKA CRUSHES ANISIMOVA

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka continued her title defence with a 6-3 6-2 demolition of American Amanda Anisimova to reach the quarterfinals, overpowering the 2019 French Open semifinalist in just over 1 hour.

RUBLEV OVERCOMES DE MINAUR

Fifth seed Andrey Rublev was made to battle all the way but in the end proved too strong for Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur to win 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0.

SINNER CONTINUES HOT RUN

Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner continued his red-hot form as he beat 2023 semifinalist Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-5 6-3 to advance to his second Australian Open quarterfinal. Sinner, 22, is yet to drop a set in the tournament. “Usually when we play it’s a tough match. I tried to stay focused, mentally and physically. Every match has its own story. Today I won so I’m very happy,” Sinner said.

GAUFF CRUISES PAST FRECH

US Open champion Coco Gauff made light work of Pole Magdalena Frech to seal a 6-1 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena. This is the first time the 19-year-old Gauff, the fourth seed, has made it past the fourth round at Melbourne Park. The American will next play Marta Kostyuk after the Ukrainian beat Russian Maria Timofeeva 6-2 6-1.

KREJCIKOVA ENDS MIRRA’s FAIRYTALE

Barbora Krejcikova denied 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva a Grand Slam quarterfinal berth after the Czech ninth seed fought back for a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory.

FRITZ ELIMINATES TSITSIPAS

American Taylor Fritz knocked out 2023 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas with a 7-6(3) 5-7 6-3 6-3 victory. “When I really needed it, I turned it up a level and started playing my absolute best tennis to finish it,” said Fritz, after his first win over a top-10 player at a Major.

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