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Novak Djokovic 'upset' as Aryna Sabalenka betters staggering record to reach Australian Open quarter-finals

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Novak Djokovic took to social media to jokingly say he was "upset" after Aryna Sabalenka, the women's world No. 1 and a good friend of Djokovic, sent one of his records tumbling. Sabalenka booked her spot in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, and another teenager awaits - Iva Jovic, who has been receiving advice from Djokovic.

Highlights: Sabalenka beats Mboko to set up quarter-final with Jovic

Video credit: TNT Sports

Novak Djokovic has said he is "upset" after Aryna Sabalenka bettered the 24-time Grand Slam champion's stunning record during her Australian Open fourth-round win over Victoria Mboko.

Sabalenka has looked an imperious force in Melbourne as she hunts a third title down under.

The world No. 1 stormed to a double-break advantage over Mboko to move halfway to victory, and emphatically dispatched the second-set tie-break 7-1, having previously surrendered three match points when broken by her Canadian opponent for 5-5.

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Sabalenka's triumph extended her remarkable string of consecutive tie-break victories in Grand Slams to 20, and by reaching that figure, the four-time major champion bettered the previous record set by Djokovic.

The 38-year-old Serbian, who is known to be friends with Sabalenka with the pair having trained together, took to social media to mourn the loss of his tie-break record.

Speaking about her tie-break record in her on-court interview, Sabalenka said: "Now, because you guys keep talking about that, I feel like you guys are putting pressure on my opponents.

"That's what I like about playing tie-breaks nowadays. I don't know, I just go into the tie-breaks, I try not to think that this is a tie-break, play point-by-point, and I guess that's the key to this consistency."

Sabalenka's ability to hold her nerve and come through tense tie-breaks adds another element to her title-winning credentials.

The two-time Melbourne champion came through two tie-breaks to beat Anastasia Potapova in the third round, and - per the Australian Open - she has not lost a tie-break at a major since her French Open semi-final against Karolina Muchova in 2023.

In the TNT Sports studio, Jamie Murray said of Sabalenka's record: "I’m sure the more people talk about it, the more she’s aware of it, and it’s probably giving her more confidence.

"She knows when she gets to those important moments how to deliver. She has that inner belief, trust in her game, and didn’t need to be asked twice to get after it. If the ball’s there to be hit, she’s going to hit it. It’s always nice to play on your own terms, and she does that better than anyone."

Sabalenka will next face Iva Jovic, the 18-year-old enjoying her best run at a Grand Slam thus far, who had received advice from her "idol" Djokovic prior to her third-round victory against Jasmine Paolini.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion also backed Jovic as a "future world No. 1" following his win against Botic van de Zandschulp - with the American enjoying an impressive breakout.

Sabalenka reveals her dream doubles partner in entertaining interview

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sabalenka and Djokovic in mixed doubles?

Given their friendship, questions have lingered as to whether Sabalenka and Djokovic could be seen teaming up in mixed doubles - especially given the US Open's all-star shake-up to the format last year.

And Sabalenka said she is awaiting a request from Djokovic to join forces.

"Maybe at the US Open this year," Sabalenka smiled. "I mean, I'm still waiting.

"He just like barely asked me at the US Open last year. I'm still waiting for that long message from him, how he would like to play with me, that I'm his dream partner.

"So, I'm still waiting for the message. Never got it. I don't know. Maybe we're not playing."

Sabalenka is targeting her third Australian Open title in four years, having won the tournament in 2023 and 2024 - dropping just one set across both runs combined.

She lost in last year's final to Madison Keys.

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