After initial difficulties, Novak Djokovic is getting better and better at the Australian Open. In the round of 16, the defending champion outclassed the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6:0, 6:0, 6:3 in Melbourne and showed his best tournament performance so far this year.
Djokovic only needed 1:44 hours for his comfortable victory. Mannarino’s strain was clearly noticeable after three five-set wins in the previous games.
“The first two sets were the best I’ve played in a long time,” said Djokovic after his impressive performance. “All in all it was a great performance,” said the ten-time Melbourne winner. “I’m on a very good path in terms of health and sport,” said Djokovic, who was struggling with a cold at the start of the tournament.
In the quarterfinals, the 24-time Grand Slam tournament winner will face American Taylor Fritz on Tuesday. The 26-year-old beat last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece 7:6 (7:3), 5:7, 6:3, 6:3.
