Novak Djokovic dominates Alex de Minaur in straight sets to set up Andrey Rublev clash at 2023 Australian Open

There have been concerns over Novak Djokovic’s fitness at times during the 2023 Australian Open but there were absolutely no worries on display from the Serbian as he hammered Alex de Minaur in straight sets on Monday. Djokovic looked in fantastic form, with his service game in particular standing out. He will now face Andrey Rublev in the last eight.

Novak Djokovic was in imperious form on Monday evening in Melbourne as he breezed past home favourite Alex de Minaur in straight sets 6-2 6-1 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Djokovic started well, easing into the match and not allowing De Minaur to get into any kind of rhythm at all.

The first break came in the sixth game as the Serb expertly moved his young opponent around the court. A second break came two games later to seal the opening set.

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Djokovic picked up where he left off in the second, breaking early again as he made it an astonishing nine games won in a row before De Minaur finally could get himself on the board to prevent the bagel as his opponent asserted his dominance.

'It's Everest in flip flops' for De Minaur as Djokovic takes the second set

Video credit: TNT Sports

The third and final set was more of the same as Djokovic continued his relentless serving efficiency as well as causing De Minaur all sorts of problems with his baseline game.

The Serb broke in both of De Minaur's opening service games as well as holding to race into a 3-0 lead as his march towards victory continued.

Once again De Minaur was able to avoid the bagel but he could do nothing to stop the Djokovic onslaught and succumbed to a straight-sets defeat.

Djokovic will now face Andrey Rublev in the last eight after the Russian won a thriller against Holger Rune earlier in the day.

Speaking to Barbara Schett in the Eurosport Cube after the match Djokovic was clearly happy with how he played. Schett asked him whether his performance was perfection on a tennis court.

"Close to it I think, there’s not much to say about my performance," said Djokovic.

"I felt great with my leg today, the best I have felt this tournament and I felt more free to move around. I knew what to expect with the crowd, the atmosphere and De Minaur - even though I’d never faced him, I kind of knew what the game plan needed to be.

"I knew I needed to stay aggressive and take the time away from him because he’s one of the quickest players on the tour. From the beginning to the last point, great, really, really great, I played well so I’m happy.”

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