MELBOURNE, January 21, 2019
Novak Djokovic took another step towards a record-breaking seventh Australian Open title, as he beat No. 15 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena on Monday evening.
The 31-year-old Serbian was pushed but he withstood 18 aces, breaking his opponent’s serve seven times and is through to his tenth quarterfinal in Melbourne. The encounter lasted three hours and 15 minutes.
Djokovic will next take on Kei Nishikori, who came back from two sets down to overcome Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7(8), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-6(8) in five hours and five minutes.
Djokovic was in joking mood when he sent a message to his next opponent: “I am feeling fantastic. I have never felt fresher.”
When told Nishikori needed a super tiebreak in the fifth set to reach the stage of the final eight, the World No. 1 told Jim Courier during his on-court interview, “thanks for the great news!”
Day/Night Attendance: 52,330
This is a second Monday Day/Night session record – previous record AO 2016 (51,231).