Novak Djokovic will compete in his 15th Australian Open quarter-final! The 37-year-old remained on the title course in Melbourne following a rock-solid 6-3, 6-4, 7-6triumph over an in-form Jiri Lehecka. The reward? The quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz!
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Djokovic will compete in his 61st Major quarter-final, remaining competitive almost 19 years after embracing his first at Roland Garros 2006! As we all wished, Novak and Carlos will fight for the fourth time at Majors, the first on the hard court.
The Serb made the difference with the second serve. He faced only three break points and suffered one break. He kept the pressure on the Czech and provided three breaks from 11 opportunities. Lehecka sprayed over 40 unofrced errors and plagued his chances.
Djokovic tamed his strokes nicely and outplayed his opponent in the most extended rallies.
Like many times before, the veteran made a reliable startat Rod Laver Arena. World no. 7 provided five good holds in the first set and kept the pressure on the other side. Novak extended the fourth game and generated a break chance.
Jiri kept his composure and fired an ace to deny it and avoid an early setback. The Serb left that chance behind and served well in games five and seven, firing an ace down the T line and opening a 4-3 gap. Novak stepped in on the return in the eighth game.
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The ten-time champion welcomed a basic forehand error from his rival for two break chances. The legend seized the first after Lehecka's double fault and moved 5-3 in front. Djokovic served for the opener in game nine and brought it home after Lehecka's mistake.
Thus, the Serb clinched the opener 6-3 in 38 minutes and gained confidence. Novak took control early in the second set. He broke in the first game after Jiri's forehand error, taking advantage of the numerous loose shots from the young gun.
Djokovic faced the first break point in the second game. Lehecka sprayed it after another terrible forehand, allowing the veteran to hold and cement the advantage. Jiri faced two break points in the fifth game, saving them and remaining within one break deficit.
Novak served well and kept the pressure on the other side. World no. 7 generated two more break points in game seven. Jiri denied them with winners and held for 3-4. Djokovic landed an ace in the eighth game, holding and moving closer to the set.
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The Serb served for it at 5-4 and drew the rival's mistake for three set points. Novak converted the first after painting another ace down the T line, moving 6-3, 6-4 up after an hour and a half! The young gun hit a double fault in the first game of the third set to lose serve.
Lehecka stepped in on the return in the next one. Hesecured a break at 15 after Djokovic's backhand mistake and returned to the positive side. Jiri saved a break point in the third game, and they served well in the following three to lock the result at 3-3.
The young Czech saved a break chance in the seventh game with an ace, holding and improving his chances. It was the last break point of the set, with the two rivals producing five comfortable holds and introducing a tie break.
They traded mini-breaks in the opening two points before Djokovic moved 3-1 up. The Serb claimed two points on serve and extended the gap to 5-2. Jiri recovered and claimed two points behind the initial shot to climb back to 4-5.
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Novak landed a volley winner at the net for 6-4 and two match points. Jiri netted a routine backhand, propelling the legend into his 15th Australian Open quarter-final.
