What doesn’t kill Novak Djokovic makes him stronger. On Friday night it was not only a dangerous opponent but also a stomach bug that left him green and calling for the doctor. The Serb even felt the electronic line calling system was against him.
But the march of Melbourne Park’s most persecuted continues towards a 25th grand slam title after he dispatched the 26th seed, Tomas Machac, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in 142 minutes. He had surprisingly dropped a set against two opponents in the early rounds, but Djokovic looked formidable here in a brutal display of grinding groundstrokes and supreme physicality. He now moves into the fourth round, entering the second week in improving form, certain to worry the rest of the draw.
