Novak Djokovic beat Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to set up a blockbuster quarter-final with Carlos Alcaraz, but refused to answer post-match questions on court.
Djokovic, who is seeking to break Margaret Court’s all-time men’s and women’s singles record of 24 Grand Slams, thanked the crowd for coming out to support him but did not conduct the usual formal interview with Jim Courier.
The Serb appeared annoyed in the third set due to crowd noise, pointing to his ear in celebration after big points as he won 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
“Thank you very much for your support and I will see you in the next round,” Djokovic said before signing a few autographs and leaving the court.
Djokovic then spoke to Eurosport on his match: “I felt good. A few misses and a loose game when I broke his serve in the third. After that I had chances to break him, but every time I had the opportunity, he served big.
“I handled the pressure moments and played some good points towards the end.”
How Djokovic beat Lehecka
It was a cautious start to the match as the first six games were split before Djokovic increased the speed of his shots and went up 5-3, before serving out the set.
Djokovic broke immediately at the start of the second and held that advantage throughout as Lehecka made several unforced errors.
Things changed in the third when Lehecka fought back, after being broken again early in the third, to collect himself and find his rhythm.
Djokovic failed to convert his break chances, so the set ended at 5-5, with the Serb rattled by spectators who began shouting between serves.
Novak Djokovic wasn’t at his best but did enough to reach his 15th Australian Open quarter-final
A tiebreak was needed to separate the players in the third and Djokovic produced some of his best tennis, interacting with the crowd by gesturing to their ear after big points as he continued to seal a place in the quarters final against Alcaraz. who previously beat Jack Draper after the British number 1 retired due to injury after two sets.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have met seven times, with the Serb leading the head-to-head 4-3. Djokovic also won his last match in the men’s singles final of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to replicate his victory over Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final.
The pair will face off in Tuesday’s night session on Rod Laver to fight for a place in the semi-finals.
Alexander Zverev overcame a second set mishap to beat Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2 and reach his fourth Australian Open quarter-final.
Zverev will face Tommy Paul in the round of 16 after the American beat Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1 6-1.
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