Key Points
- Djokovic delivered a centre-court masterclass defeating de Minaur 6-2 6-1 6-2 in two hours and six minutes.
- The Australian hailed the Monday night version of Djokovic as the best opponent he had ever faced.
- Djokovic has booked a quarter-final date on Wednesday with fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
Showing no signs of the hamstring injury that had troubled him during the first three rounds, Djokovic delivered a centre-court masterclass to de Minaur 6-2 6-1 6-2 in two hours and six minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
“I want to do better than fourth round at a slam. It’s great, I’m happy, but I’m not content. I want more.
Alex de Minaur (ATP 24) pictured during a mens’ singles fourth round match between Serbian Djokovic and Australian de Minaur at the ‘Australian Open’ tennis Grand Slam, Monday 23 January 2023 in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. Source: AAP / Patrick Hamilton
“I want to be in quarter-finals, be in the semi-finals, really go deep.
“This will add fuel to the fire. I’ll get my head down. I’ll speak to my team and work on the things I need to work on to take the next step because this is not where I want my goals to be, making fourth rounds of slams.”
“If they bring their best level, you’re just slightly off your game, this is what happens.”
Alex de Minaur of Australia plays Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the 4th round on day 8 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Source: Getty / Chris Putnam
Try as he might, the lightweight baseliner simply could not compete with Djokovic’s firepower as the former world number one clubbed 26 winners to nine and broke de Minaur six times to book a quarter-final date on Wednesday with fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
Moving more freely and growing in confidence, Djokovic will be a hot favourite against Russia’s Rublev as he continues his pursuit of a mind-boggling 10th Open title after heaping yet more pain on Australians at the majors.
His lone grand slam defeat to an Australian came against de Minaur’s mentor Hewitt more than 16 years ago in New York when Djokovic was still a teenager.
Novak Djokovic during his fourth round match at the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne. Source: AAP / Corinne Dubreuil
Despite copping his heaviest defeat in 22 grand slam appearances, de Minaur still declared his summer a success after matching his career-best run in Melbourne and taking down 22-times grand slam winner Rafael Nadal, the dethroned Open champion, at the United Cup in Sydney.
“There’s definitely positives out there.”
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