Novak Djokovic prepares for quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz; Aryna Sabalenka enters the final 8

Novak Djokovic headed into an Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz with a dominant straight-sets victory on Sunday, while women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka was a ruthless winner. Sabalenka, a two-time defending champion, is on a collision course with in-form world number three Coco Gauff in the semi-finals in Melbourne if both win in the last eight. On the hottest day of the tournament so far, with temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit), Alcaraz qualified when Britain’s Jack Draper dropped out injured.

Djokovic, 37, then held up his end of the bargain by winning 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) against 24th seed Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the hourly match. primetime on Rod Laver Arena. .

Djokovic appears to be growing in the tournament, a worrying sign for his rivals, as he targets an 11th Melbourne crown and a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

He lost a set in each of his first two matches, but won the previous two in straight sets.

Djokovic and Alcaraz have faced each other seven times, with the Serbian leading 4-3, including a victory in their last clash in the final of the Paris Olympics.

But they never played at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic achieved his greatest success.

“When we see him play, he looks young again… it’s incredible. He’s in great shape,” said Alcaraz, who has vowed to get a kangaroo tattoo if he wins the Australian Open for the first time.

The 21-year-old Spaniard, who has never progressed past the quarterfinals in Melbourne, was leading 7-5, 6-1 when Draper pulled the plug.

Draper had played his previous three matches in five sets, all trailing 2-1, and that seemed to have taken its toll.

“It’s not how I wanted to win, but obviously I’m happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia,” Alcaraz said.

Draper, 23, whose rise has been hampered by body problems, said his hip injury had been a “ticking time bomb” and he had “several really sore areas”.

12th-seeded American Tommy Paul destroyed Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for just a three-game loss as he bids to match or better his 2023 semifinal appearance.

Paul will meet German second seed Alexander Zverev, who survived a mid-match wobble to oust Frenchman Ugo Humbert.

Zverev, who is aiming for a first Grand Slam title, won 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Warning Sabalenka

Sabalenka stunned 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 in a scare to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Belarusian spent just 62 minutes on a red-hot Center Court before recording an 18th consecutive victory at Melbourne Park.

“I’m super happy to get through this tough match in straight sets,” said Sabalenka, who next faces 27th-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Sabalenka struggled with her serve in colder conditions during the first week, but she remained untouchable as the mercury soared.

“The ball was flying like a rocket,” Sabalenka said.

A dangerous Gauff faces Spanish 11th seed Paula Badosa after the American fought back to beat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.

Gauff lost a set for the first time in 2025, but extended her unbeaten streak to 13 matches dating back to last year’s WTA Tour Finals.

“Two sets out of three at this stage of my career are not that hard physically for me,” said Gauff, 20, who is aiming for a first title in Melbourne.

“During the offseason, I did so much work physically, so I don’t worry at all about recovering emotionally or mentally.”

Badosa said she “loves” Gauff – but that won’t stop her from seeking “revenge”.

The two men have a 3-3 head-to-head record, but Gauff has won both of their meetings in 2024, each coming in three sets.

The last time was in the semifinals of the WTA China Open in Beijing, where Gauff won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 en route to the title.

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