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Novak Djokovic had a 'fantastic' feeling after he ran over Alex de Minaur with his best performance of the year (yet) in the fourth round of the Australian Open. The nine-time champion outclassed Australian De Minaur on Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in two hours and six minutes on Monday.
A hamstring injury has been a concern for Djokovic as he bids to win a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title at Melbourne Park, but he was moving freely as he ruthlessly breezed into the quarter-finals. The fourth seed from Serbia did not face a break point, delivering another returning masterclass and serving superbly to set up a meeting with Russian Andrey Rublev.
Djokovic has won 25 consecutive Australian Open matches – just one shy of Andre Agassi's record – and the 35-year-old rated his demolition of De Minaur as his most impressive of the year.
He said, "Definitely the best tennis I've played this year, this tournament, so far this season. Best match. I'm really glad because obviously as the tournament progresses, the matches are going to get tougher. I'm really glad to manage to win the way I did. To feel really great in terms of mobility and movement of my leg, which is great news. So all in all, perfect match for me."
Djokovic did not feel any pain as he brushed De Minaur aside to move into his 13th Australian Open quarter-final and the last eight of a major for the 54th time. "We take it day by day. We do a lot of things. It's been honestly exhausting to be involved in a lot of different treatments and machines and stuff that we do. At the same time, it was necessary. It is necessary in order to get myself in a condition to play. So I'm really glad that my body has responded really well.
"Tonight I didn't feel any pain. I moved as well as I have the whole tournament. It means we are progressing in the right direction. Some days you feel good; some days maybe not as. So, as I said on the court, I do not want to celebrate too early because I don't know how the body's going to respond tomorrow and for the next match. What I felt tonight is fantastic," he added.
(With Opta Inputs)
