{"id":388137,"date":"2026-01-24T14:47:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T14:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/388137\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T14:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T14:47:10","slug":"novak-djokovic-marches-into-australian-open-r4-as-melbourne-milestones-mount-atp-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/388137\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic marches into Australian Open R4 as Melbourne milestones mount | ATP Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

ATP Tour
\n Djokovic saves set points, reaches Australian Open R4 as Melbourne milestones mount <\/p>\n

Former World No. 1 moves to within two wins from Sinner showdown<\/p>\n

January 24, 2026<\/p>\n

\"Novak<\/p>\n

David Gray\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic is a record 10-time champion at the Australian Open.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic<\/a> edged a step closer to a potential blockbuster semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner<\/a> at the Australian Open<\/a> on Saturday, ticking off a series of historic milestones along the way.<\/p>\n

The record 10-time champion was made to work in his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Botic van de Zandschulp<\/a>, but showed supreme composure to book his place in the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 18th time in 21 appearances. The victory marked Djokovic\u2019s 400th match win at a major \u2014 the most by any player in the Open Era \u2014 and his 102nd at the Australian Open<\/a>, drawing him level with Roger Federer<\/a>\u2019s all-time tournament record.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a great start to the tournament,\u201d Djokovic said when asked about his fitness. \u201cBut I\u2019m not getting ahead of myself. I learned a lesson last year, I got too ahead of myself too early in some of the Grand Slams. I\u2019m trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I\u2019m still around. I\u2019m hanging in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet Another Milestone \ud83d\udc4f@DjokerNole<\/a> #AO26<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GG4rFEjdqI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) January 24, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Djokovic will next face Jakub Mensik<\/a> after the Czech beat Ethan Quinn<\/a> 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to reach the fourth round at the major for the first time. Djokovic, who is 1-1 against Mensik in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, is now just two wins away from a potential semi-final clash with two-time defending champion Sinner, who earlier overcame cramp to secure his own spot in the fourth round<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world,\u201d said Djokovic. \u201cThey\u2019re playing at a different level than all of us right now, but when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here on the court that has given me the most in my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

You May Also Like: Djokovic reaches 400 major wins & equals Federer’s Australian Open record<\/a><\/p>\n

Having lost to Van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells last year, Djokovic was aware of the need for a fast start, and he delivered it. He struck 12 winners to just seven unforced errors in the opening set and saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys Stats.<\/p>\n

Van de Zandschulp required a medical timeout to treat his right shoulder after falling behind 0-3 in the second set and briefly took advantage of a rare lapse in concentration from Djokovic. The fourth seed quickly wrestled back control, but he took a tumble in the third game of the third set and took a medical timeout of his own.<\/p>\n

Although he dropped serve in the ensuing game, Djokovic battled back and saved two set points at 5-6 before eventually closing out a hard-fought win to improve to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the Dutchman after two hours, 44 minutes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n