Novak Djokovic continued his dominant run at the Australian Open with a commanding victory in the third round. The 24-time Grand Slam winner defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7-2) in a match held in Melbourne.
Djokovic, who had experienced some shaky moments in his previous matches, showed no signs of vulnerability against the 30th seed. Etcheverry, who had caused an upset by defeating Andy Murray in the first round, couldn't find a way to break Djokovic's serve or gain an advantage.
In the first set, Djokovic earned a crucial break of serve in the sixth game by displaying his variety of shots, including a well-executed drop shot. Etcheverry's missed groundstroke handed Djokovic the game, allowing him to comfortably serve out the set.
The Serbian star maintained his momentum in the second set, breaking Etcheverry early on and preventing any chance of a comeback. With Etcheverry unable to find openings on Djokovic's serve, the second set slipped away from him as well.
The third set saw Etcheverry put up a stronger fight. He kept pace with Djokovic, even gaining a 15-30 advantage on Djokovic's serve. However, Djokovic quickly denied him the opportunity and the set eventually went to a tie-break. Djokovic dominated the tie-break, winning it convincingly with a 7-2 score. A powerful forehand winner in a 25-shot rally showcased Djokovic's skill and determination.
Following his triumph, Djokovic expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating that it was his best showing in the tournament thus far. He praised Etcheverry for raising his level of tennis but emphasized his own ability to find the right shots at crucial moments.
In the next round, Djokovic will face Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, the 20th seed. Mannarino advanced to the fourth round after a thrilling five-set victory against American talent Ben Shelton. Despite Mannarino's impressive run, Djokovic holds the advantage with a perfect record against him in their previous encounters.
Another standout player in the tournament is fourth seed Jannik Sinner. He continued his dominance by effortlessly defeating Sebastian Baez 6-0 6-1 6-3. Sinner's clean-hitting style and his ability to secure breaks of serve contributed to his commanding win. Having reached the quarter-finals in last year's Australian Open, Sinner is once again a strong contender for a deep run in the tournament.
Next, Sinner will face Karen Khachanov, who battled through a four-set match against Tomas Machac. Khachanov's 6-4 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory sets up an intriguing clash with the fourth seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the seventh seed and runner-up in the 2023 Australian Open, also cruised into the fourth round. He defeated Luca Van Assche 6-3 6-0 6-4 in a little over two hours. Tsitsipas showcased his serving prowess, with a 12-1 advantage in aces, and demonstrated his ability to save break points while efficiently converting his own.
Tsitsipas will now face 12th seed Taylor Fritz in the next round. Fritz battled through a four-set match against Fabian Morozsan to secure his fourth appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Additionally, Australian hopeful Alex De Minaur delighted the home crowd with a dominant performance against Flavio Cobolli. De Minaur's 6-3 6-3 6-1 victory fuels expectations of a potential historic win as he seeks to become the first homegrown champion in the men's singles since 1976.
As the Australian Open unfolds, fans can look forward to the intriguing matches and remarkable performances from the world's top tennis players. Stay tuned to the WTA and ATP Tours, available for streaming with a NOW Sports Month Membership on Sky Sports.
