Djokovic, Sabalenka in ruthless form to reach Australian Open quarter-finals

Djokovic almost always plays the night session on Rod Laver Arena, but was bumped to the afternoon this time.

That’s because home hope Alex de Minaur, seeded 10, is bidding to make the last eight for the first time, with Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev standing in his way.

The winner will face in-form fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who blasted past last year’s semi-finalist Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 and is yet to drop a set.

‘An honour’

Defending women’s champion Sabalenka has also been in imperious form and was in complete charge against unseeded Amanda Anisimova on Margaret Court Arena, sweeping past the American 6-3, 6-2.

Fourth seed Coco Gauff, attempting to become the first woman to back up a US Open title with a Grand Slam win in Australia since Naomi Osaka in 2020-2021, has been almost as impressive.

She swatted aside Poland’s unseeded Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, with the 85-year-tennis legend watching from the stands.

“It was an honour to play in front of you, so thank you for coming to my match,” said 19-year-old Gauff, who had never progressed beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park in four previous attempts.

“First Aussie quarter-final. Super happy to be in this position and be here…. It’s cool to get over that hump.”

She will now meet Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who beat Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva 6-2, 6-1.