Djokovic roars into the fourth round of Australian Open

On Monday, Novak Djokovic stomped on local favourite Alex de Minaur, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-2. This victory was a statement win in Djokovic’s quest for a 10th title in the Grand Slam tournament, which has only been endangered by a hamstring ailment.

After a tense beginning to the match, Djokovic got the break when De Minaur sent a forehand into the net, putting the fourth seed up 4-2; he then held serve and won the first set.

The 35-year-old was in no mood to give De Minaur even a remote opportunity on Rod Laver Arena, where he had not been defeated since the fourth round of 2018. He rushed out of the gates and dominated his opponent with blazing shots from both wings.

With his heavily-strapped hamstring cooperating after worries in the previous two rounds, Djokovic closed out the match in fine fashion by winning the first four games of the third set and advancing to face fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev in the fourth.