Novak Djokovic (38) also managed his third match at this year’s Australian Open without losing a set. With 10 triumphs, the most successful player in the history of the Australian Grand Slam was close to a potential disqualification when he hit the ball in anger and almost hit one of the collectors. In the end, Botice van de Zandschulpa (30) won 6:3, 6:4, 7:6 thanks to deflected set points and advanced to the round of 16.
Djokovic had a lot of motivation in the fight with Van De Zandschulp. Firstly, he wanted to continue his attack on a record 25th Grand Slam triumph, and secondly, he wanted a successful revenge for last year’s Indian Wells, where he fell sensationally and in three sets against this opponent.
However, the dream of the 11th Australian Open title could have faded prematurely. At 4:2 in the second set, Djokovic gave vent to his emotions and fired a ball in anger that almost hit one of the receivers. At the same time, after an error by the Dutchman, he won a point and led at that moment by a set and a break. He ended up avoiding disqualification and didn’t even get a warning.
The third act was definitely the hardest for Djokovic. In his end, he had to have a blister on his foot treated and served twice to stay in the set. While he was dominant the first time, in the second case Van De Zandschulp worked his way to two set points.
But Djokovic cold-bloodedly eliminated both threats. He deflected the first one with a fantastic forehand down the line and erased the second one with an active game. He was clearly better in the tie-break and easily won the shortened game 7:4.
The most successful player of all time continues at this year’s Australian Open without losing a set. He dealt with Pedro Martínez and Francesco Maestrelli in the previous rounds. He is making his 21st start overall at Melbourne Park and has only failed to reach the second week on his opening two appearances in 2005-06 and again in 2017.
The next opponent of the Serbian record holder, who recorded his jubilee 400th Grand Slam win, will be Jakub Menšík.
Australian Open men’s singles results
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