Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Aussie hope Alex de Minaur is excited to challenge world No.5 Novak Djokovic in a fourth-round showdown at Rod Laver Arena this evening.
“These are the matches you want to be playing,” said the 23-year-old Australian. “You want to be playing the best in the world.”
This is the first time that De Minaur has faced the nine-time Australian Open champion, who is currently on a 24-match winning streak at Melbourne Park.
“I’m ready for the battle,” vowed the world No.24. “I want to take it to him and show what I’m made of, you know, in the biggest of stages and just test myself out there.”
De Minaur is among 23 Aussies in action on an unmissable day eight at Australian Open 2023.
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Aussies in action:
[22] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [4] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Men’s singles, fourth round, Rod Laver Arena, night session, first match (from 7pm AEDT)
Aussie favourite De Minaur has a big challenge tonight, as he aims to become the first player to beat Djokovic at the Australian Open since 2018. The 23-year-old Aussie has, however, won three of his six most recent meetings against a top 10-ranked opponent, including a stunning victory over world No.2 Rafael Nadal at the United Cup earlier this month. This is De Minaur’s second fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open, while 35-year-old Djokovic is making his 15th.
Head-to-head record: First meeting
> VIEW: Australian Open 2023 men’s singles draw
[WC] Rinky Hijikata (AUS)/Jason Kubler (AUS) v Tomislav Brkic (BIH)/Gonzalo Escobar (ECU)
Men’s doubles, third round, Margaret Court Arena, third match (not before 2pm AEDT)
After eliminating the sixth seeds in the second round, 21-year-old Hijikata and 29-year-old Kubler are determined to continue their impressive run. The Aussie wildcards are aiming to reach their first Grand Slam quarterfinal by beating world No.65 Brkic, a 32-year-old Bosnian, and world No.44 Escobar, a 33-year-old from Ecuador, in the third round.
[14] John Peers (AUS)/Andreas Mies (GER) v [WC] Alex Bolt (AUS)/Luke Saville (AUS)
Men’s doubles, third round, Kia Arena, fourth match
World No.38 Peers is aiming to reach a fourth Australian Open quarterfinal. The 34-year-old Aussie faces two compatriots, 30-year-old Bolt and 28-year-old Saville, who have a lot of respect for the former world No.2’s achievements. “Peersy has had a great career, he’s well established on…
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