MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic paused his service routine and began aggressively stretching out his left leg. There were just seven points left for him to wrap up his third-round Australian Open match against Grigor Dimitrov, but he was clearly in pain.
Djokovic’s left hamstring has been causing him grief during the first week here in Melbourne. His movement and mobility has been hampered, yet he has dropped just one set en route to the round of 16 as he chases a record-equaling 22nd major title.
His run is proving to be eerily similar to the one in 2021, when he nursed an oblique tear to a ninth Australian Open crown.
On Monday evening, Djokovic will face Australian hope and 22nd seed Alex de Minaur — who matched his best result at his home Slam with a third-round win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi — for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Djokovic and de Minaur have never met in professional competition. This first clash, scheduled for primetime on Rod Laver Arena, is set to be a blockbuster encounter.
“Playing in front of you guys, I don’t know how many of you will be on my side. I don’t think too many,” Djokovic said jokingly to the crowd after his win over Dimitrov. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere, I’m sure, and I look forward to it.”
Why Novak Djokovic will win
Djokovic just doesn’t lose on Rod Laver Arena. Scratch that, he doesn’t lose in Australia. The 35-year-old star has won a staggering 37 consecutive singles matches on Australian soil, including three straight Australian Open titles between 2019 and 2021.
He thrives in the conditions and handles the pressure better than anyone else, which gives him a considerable edge over de Minaur, who has played just five career matches on center court at his home Slam for a record of 3-2.
Despite the hamstring concern and playing well below his devastating best, Djokovic has been able to elevate his play in key moments this tournament — a hallmark of his career. After France’s Enzo Couacaud leveled at one set apiece in the second round, Djokovic reeled off 12 of the next 14 games to run away with the match.
Last time out against Dimitrov, Djokovic played his best tennis in the first set tiebreaker, before capitalizing on several break point opportunities later in the match.
Djokovic can also take advantage of de Minaur’s serve, which has let him down so far this tournament. De Minaur wins few cheap points with it, tallying just 21 aces through his first three matches, and has managed to land his first…
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