Melbourne, Jan 22: Top seed Novak Djokovic has reached the last eight at the Australian Open for the 14th time, surging past Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-0, 6-3.
By overcoming the 20th seed Frenchman, the world No.1 secured his 58th Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, equaling Roger Federer’s record.
The-36-year-old extended his unbeaten record against Mannarino to 5-0 and his unbeaten record against left-handed players at Melbourne Park to 11-0 as he sealed a 32nd consecutive Australian Open win.
Mannarino, who is a career-high No. 19 in the ATP Rankings, was trying to reach his first major quarterfinal. But the game with which he troubles many of the world’s best players did not bother Djokovic.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur has lost in five sets to Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev in their fourth-round Australian Open showdown.
After four hours and 14 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, Rublev eliminated the last local hope in the singles draw with a 6-4, 6-7(5/7), 6-7(4/7), 6-3, 6-0 win.
World number one Iga Swiatek is out of the Australian Open after being stunned by Czech 19-year-old Linda Noskova in the third round.
The Pole, 22, had looked in control but the highly-rated Noskova fought back to win 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.
In the decider, the world number 50’s power rocked Swiatek, who was hampered by forehand errors.
“I’m speechless,” said Noskova, who has reached the fourth round of a major for the first time.
“I knew it was going to be an amazing match with the world number one but I didn’t really think it would end up like this.
“I’m just really glad to get through this round.”
Noskova is playing in the main draw in Melbourne for the first time, having lost in qualifying last year as an 18-year-old.
She fell to the floor in disbelief after converting her first match point following a tight third set.