Serbian Novak Djokovic qualified, on Saturday, for the round of 16 of the Australian Open, which is the first major tournament this year, by defeating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in consecutive rounds: 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4 after that. 3 hours and 7 minutes of action at Rod Laver Arena.
Thus, the champion of the Australian championship ranked twenty-fourth (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021). A direct win in Melbourne since his last loss to Korean Hyun Chung in the fourth round of the 2018 edition.
Bandaged on his left leg, Djokovic beat the 31-year-old Bulgarian, formerly ranked No. 3 in the world, for the 10th time in 11 matches, taking a new step toward the goal of equaling Rafael Nadal at the grand slam title. Slam record (22).
The Spaniard, this year’s defending champion, was surprisingly knocked out in the second round, and was the victim of a muscle injury.
After securing his victory over Dimitrov, who produced massive level points with more than 20 shots, Djokovic saluted the central court crowd and kissed the ground from which he was evicted a year ago after the scandal of his refusal to receive. A vaccine against Covid-19.
At the start of the second week of competition in Australia, the Serb will face a home challenger against Alex de Minaur, whom he will face for the first time on the professional tennis circuit.
De Minaur (23), from Uruguay, beat France’s Benjamin Ponzi 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-1 and equaled his best performance at the Australian Open, valid since last year.
At Margaret Court Arena, Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Britain’s five-time finalist Andy Murray in Melbourne, with a 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-4 victory.
The 34-year-old Valencia tennis player was one example away from matching his best production in his first major tournament of the season (2019), a goal he will be aiming for in the upcoming match against American Tommy Ball.
On the other hand, Dane Holger Rohn (19 years old), who surprised Djokovic in the recent Masters 1000 tournament in Paris, extended his resolute run without giving up a set and knocked out Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5) in Just over two hours.
His next opponent will be Russia’s Andrei Rublev, seeded fifth and now the third favorite after eliminating Nadal (first) and Norwegian Casper Ruud (second).
In the women’s draw, Belarusian Arina Sabalenka (5) advanced for the third year in a row to the round of 16 after defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3. She is now looking to break into the tournament’s top eight for the first time when she faces Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in the next round.
. Today’s results at melbourne park
– Male –
Third round:
Novak Djokovic (Serbia, 4th) beat Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4.
Andrey Rublev (RUSSIA, 5) beat Daniel Evans (UK) 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
Holger Rohn (Denmark, 9th place), defeated Ugo Humbert (France) 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(5).
Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) defeated Andy Murray (United Kingdom) 6-1 6-7(7) 6-3 6-4.
Alex De Minaur (Australia) beat Benjamin Ponzi (France) 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-1.
Jeffrey Wolf (USA) beat Michael Memooh (USA) 6-4 6-1 6-2.
Tommy Paul (USA) beat Jenson Broxby (USA) 6-1 6-4 6-3.
– feminine –
Third round
Caroline Garcia (France, fourth), to Laura Siegmund (Germany) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus, 5), beat Elise Mertens (Belgium) 6-2, 6-3.
Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) beat Camila Giorgi (Italy) 6-2, 7-5.
Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) beat Varvara Gracheva (RUSSIA) 6-4, 6-2.
Shuai Zhang (CHN) beat Katie Volientes (USA) 6-3 6-2.
Donna Vekic (Croatia) defeated Nuria Barrezas Diaz (Spain) 6-2, 6-2.
Linda Frohvitova (Czech Republic) beat Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.
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