Djokovic reaches round of 16 of the AO

This was, at least on paper, the most difficult challenge for the Serbian ace, but also the best game and the most convincing victory, with control of the match from the very beginning until the end. Machac, who Nole lost to last time they were opposite each other (Geneva), didn't have the slightest chance today in Melbourne.

It is, after all, Novak's court.

Novak's next rival is another Czech, Jiří Lehečka.

Machac only managed to secure one break chance today, but by then he was already deep in the abyss, there was no help, Novak was already on a big 2:0, he was dancing, sending indefensible shots, sending nine ace shots... One got the impression that if they played until the next day, Machac would not even then be close to messing up the accounts of the most trophies of all time.

This was Novak's 66th appearance in the round of 16 in his 77th appearance at the Grand Slam and the 17th time he played at that stage in Melbourne.

The first set was indicative for the whole match, the balance of strength and the current quality of both tennis players. Djokovic took the first game, dropped three break points in the second, so Machac survived then, but the continuation brought complete dominance of the Serbian tennis player - five consecutive games.

The first and only crisis period for Novak was the beginning of the second set, he lost the first two games, but this was mainly due to the fact that he had certain difficulties when swallowing or breathing. He won the game before the medical time-out, got a pill in the meantime that obviously helped him, and then went on to string three more games.

In an unstoppable burst, he played until the very end.

Sofascore

Machac seemed to have disappeared from the court. He ran from mistake to mistake, missed and received blows for which he had no solutions and no trump cards to fight back. Novak didn't even let him think that he could turn things around.

It was a cat and mouse duel for most of the match.

It must be said, Novak waged a small "war" with one or more fans who sporadically distracted our tennis player during serves and shots.

He didn't say anything to them, turned around and looked for them, gesturing in their direction. He put his hands over his ears, so he could hear them when he was taking points immediately after he was interrupted. He also "addressed" them right after the end of the match, again in the same manner - he towered over them.

With a smile from ear to ear, he walks on.