Novak Djokovic may not have been feeling his best Friday at the Australian Open, but that didn’t stop him from delivering a statement.
The record 10-time champion surged to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 triumph against Tomas Machac to advance to the fourth round in Melbourne for a 17th time. Despite struggling physically, Djokovic overpowered and outfoxed the Czech 26th seed from the baseline to wrap up a clinical two-hour, 22-minute minute victory inside Rod Laver Arena.
“I think I played really well, honestly. I’m very happy with my game,” 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 really decided that set, which could have gone his way, then the outcome of the match would be different. Overall in the third set, I felt fresh, moved really well. I’m really pleased with my game. There is always something to work on, but this is definitely my best match of the tournament.”
Djokovic, who had come through four-set triumphs over Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria en route to the third round, called for the physio during the second set and left for treatment at the end of it. Yet despite dealing with physical challenges, the 37-year-old Serbian was able to produce an assured level of tennis on the court to improve to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Machac.
The manner in which Djokovic was able to maintain his composure and deliver in the critical moments will be a confidence boost as he eases into the second week of his favoured major. With World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz looming in his section of the draw, Djokovic is now one match away from a potential quarter-final match with the Spaniard.
With his statement performance in Friday’s third-round clash, Djokovic is into the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the 66th time in his 77th appearance at a major. He is also the second man to reach this stage of the Australian Open aged 37 or older since 1988.