Nole is through to Australian Open fourth round after straight-sets victory over Tomas Machac.
Seventh seed and a record 10-time champion Novak Djokovic raced to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Czech Tomas Machac to advance to the fourth round at the Australian Open for a 17th time.
Novak outplayed the 26th seed to wrap up a two-hour, 22-minute minute win inside Rod Laver Arena on Friday.
Djokovic was broken only once and converted five of 15 break point chances on Machac’s serve.
Match statistics: aces (9-4), double faults (4-5), winners (28-25), unforced errors (20-35), total points won (96-70).
“I think I played really well,” said Djokovic. “I am slightly surprised with the result, to beat him in straight sets. He was a break up early in the second, I struggled physically there. I tried to catch my breath, I’m not 19 anymore. I somehow managed to turn things around, hold my serve when I needed to. A couple of points decided that set, which could have gone his way, then the outcome of the match would be different. I felt fresh in the third set, moved really well. I’m pleased with my game. There is always something to work on, but this is definitely my best match of the tournament.”
Novak, who is now 97-9 in Melbourne, will face another Czech, Jiri Lehecka, for a place in the quarter-final.
The 37-year-old Serbian star won their only previous meeting, at the 2024 United Cup (6-1, 6-7, 6-1).
Photo: Profimedia
