The Headliners
There is always a sense of inevitability with Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open; no matter the strength of the opposition, the occasionally oppressive heat, the off-court controversies that often surround him, the Serbian always comes through to lift the trophy.
This year is no different. Even though the 10-time champion at Melbourne Park didn’t sparkle in his opening two rounds, requiring four sets to beat qualifier Dino Prizmic and home favourite Alexei Popyrin, his last two performances suggest he is starting to find his best form.
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A straight-sets win over Andy Murray’s conqueror Tomas Martin Etcheverry was a forward step into a fourth-round demolition of experienced Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, a match in which Djokovic dropped just three games.
Next up is 12th seed Taylor Fritz, who enjoyed a four-set win against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last round, but who holds an 0-8 record against the world number one.
Djokovic will go into the clash in expectant mood, a position Fritz understands.
The American said: “If I beat someone eight times in a row, I’d be pretty confident playing them, too, I’d have to say. I can’t really fault him for that.
“I think the conditions here are definitely better for me than maybe US Open or Cincinnati. I mean, to be honest, the only decent match I’ve played against him in our last couple of meetings was in Turin at the end of ’22.
“In that match I served for the second set. It was pretty close. Since then when I’ve played him, I’ve played pretty poorly.
“It’s been one-sided with Novak. I feel like he’s played me pretty much the same every time.”
One minor factor which will irritate the always tetchy Djokovic heading into the match is the fact he’s been relegated to the day session for the second successive round with Jannik Sinner versus Andrey Rublev taking centre stage on Rod Laver Arena.
Capping the weekend in style 😎@Chubb • #ChubbInsurance • #ChubbDailyHighlights • #AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/fjgjOCZAYV
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2024
The subplots
Fourth seed Sinner has looked imperious in his run to the last eight. He’s yet to drop a set and his win over the ever-dangerous Karen Khachenov in the fourth round oozed self-belief.
He will have to play well again to see off Rublev, although fatigue could be a factor with the Russian requiring five gruelling sets to beat Alex De Minaur last time out.
He always had the will, he just had to find the way!@AndreyRublev97 comes from a set down to rattle home and into the last eight.
The No.5 seed defeats Alex De Minaur 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/h0dBeEmici
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2024
There are also two women’s quarter-finals on Tuesday, headlined by second seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka’s clash with Barbora Krejcikova.
Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, has been taken to three sets in three of her four outings so far. Sabalenka has lost just 11 games in reaching the quarter-finals.
Fourth seed Coco Gauff is also in action, opening the singles action on Laver against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
Order of Play – selected matches
Day session (from 01:00 UK time)
Coco Gauff v Marta Kostyuk
Novak Djokovic v Taylor Fritz
Night session (from 08:00 UK time)
Barbora Krejcikova v Aryna Sabalenka
Jannik Sinner v Andrey Rublev
It’s a FIRST Grand Slam QF for @marta_kostyuk !
She defeats Timofeeva 6-2 6-1.#AusOpen • #AO2024@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/8WDQbgt1El
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2024
When and how to watch
The Australian Open is available to watch live on Discovery+ and Eurosport in the United Kingdom, with the day’s singles action getting under way from 02:00 UK time on Tuesday morning. The night session is scheduled to take place from 08:00.
Predictions
It’s impossible to think Djokovic won’t maintain his 100 per cent record against Fritz while it would also be a major surprise if Gauff and Sabalenka did not both win to set up a mouthwatering semi-final.
The intriguing match of the day comes last between Sinner and Rublev. Expect plenty of long rallies between two of the cleanest ball-strikers on tour but we predict the Italian will come through in four.
