Australian Open 2024 | Djokovic fires up as Sabalenka and Sinner shine

Novak Djokovic dominates in Australian Open, Coco Gauff and young Russians impress, Djokovic and Sabalenka advance.

Novak Djokovic was back to his ominous best Friday with a straight-sets romp into the Australian Open last 16 as Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner emphatically stated their title credentials.

U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff also signalled her intent in a 6-0, 6-2 drubbing while 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva kept her dream run going with a fightback against France’s Diane Parry.

Another young Russian, qualifier Maria Timofeeva, joined them in the fourth round by upsetting 10th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia and in doing so became the lowest-ranked woman since 2017, at 170, to get so far at Melbourne Park.

Ten-time champion Djokovic has not been at his best until now, dropping sets in both of his opening matches, admitting he was feeling under-the weather.

But the Serbian superstar’s bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam crown got firmly back on track against 30th seed Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry with a routine 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) win on Rod Laver Arena.

“I think the best performance I had during this tournament,” he said after his 100th Australian Open match, with only Roger Federer (117) and Serena Williams (105) playing more.

“I am pleased with the way I played through the entire match, particularly the first two sets.”