Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic dominates to advance to 58th Grand Slam quarter-final

It’s now 32 wins in a row at Melbourne Park for Novak Djokovic, and while he was kicked off his preferred night time game, there’s only one thing driving the King of the Australian Open.

It was Australian Open win No. 32 in a row and it was set up by winning 13 games in a row.

And apparently Novak Djokovic is sick? Goodness help the other seven quarterfinalists if this is Novak when he is nauseous.

At 6-0 6-0 1-0 up, he actually wanted to lose a service game. Because when No. 20 seed Adrian Mannarino finally got on the scoreboard a lot of the tension escaped Rod Laver Arena.

Mind you, it didn’t escape through the roof. That was closed due to spitting rain outside, with conditions mimicking the prime time Djokovic doubled-down on declaring he prefers.

“It’s no secret I love to play at 7pm,” Djokovic said.

Does this man even control the weather when he comes in Melbourne (…and is allowed to stay)?

The 36-year-old has now equalled Roger Federer’s record of 58 quarter-final appearances in Grand Slams.

Novak Djokovic blitzed Adrian Mannarino on Sunday. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP)

The 6-0 6-0 6-3 scoreline meant Djokovic has now dropped just one out of 14 sets against the unorthodox Frenchman with the flattest of backhands.

Mannarino joked he had started drinking tequila when asked about his mesmerising run of five-set marathons to reach the round of 16.

Well, bottoms up. Plenty of lemon and salt might be required to wipe this result from his memory.

Southpaws may as well surrender here against Djokovic as well, because he is now 11-0 against left-handers at the Australian Open.

The records keep on tumbling for the superstar who is nine sets away from an 11th crown.

Djokovic has now won 32 consecutive matches on Rod Laver Arena. The next best is Andre Agassi’s (26), and coming in third is Djokovic again … who chalked up 25 on the trot from 2011-14.

Even Djokovic was left dazzling at his own display.

“One of the best sets I’ve played in a while. I played great – from the first to the last point,” he said.

“All in all, a great performance.”

Forget French baguettes, what about the double bagel Djokovic cooked up?

“I don’t think I’ve been too many times in the situations like this one today where I won 6-0 6-0,” he said.

“I think one of my first Roland Garros main draw appearances, maybe the first one where I qualified, and played Robby Ginepri, I remember I was 6-0 6-0 3-0.

“The tension in the third set, it was so big, whether he’s going to win a game or not.

“The crowd wanted him to win a game and be in the match. I almost felt like it’s good to give away the game, just to be able to reset and refocus because the tension is growing as more the match progresses without him winning a game.

“I think, of course, it’s tough for him, but also for me to be able to kind of not think about that, not think about the triple bagel.

“So I was happy that got that out of the way, 1-1 third set, then I kind of focused on what I need to do to close out the match.

“I didn’t really want to give him anything, any presents, from the baseline.

“Just made him work for his service games. On my service games, I think I got at least one or two free points every service game with my serve – and that served me very well.

“I think I have 15-plus aces (it was 17 to Mannarino’s one). Whenever I needed to come up with a big serve, I did. Also quite high first-serve percentage (70 per cent).”

Djokovic was booted from his regular night spot on RLA. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP)

So what is still driving the greatest of all time? Is it those records? You bet it is.

“Winning majors, breaking records, and being at the top of the game is something that is always an objective,” Djokovic said.

“Being separated from the family hurts me more and more. That’s the part that I struggle with more now.

“I think I earned my right to choose what kind of tournaments I want to play. Of course, Grand Slams being the biggest ones, the pillars, they (are my) priority on the schedule.

“I love the thrill of facing a break point or having a break point, just those kind of emotions are still awakening something that is very deep.

“I feel while being No. 1 and still on top of the game, I don’t feel like leaving tennis in that position. I feel like I want to keep on going.

“When I feel that I am not able to compete at the highest level with the guys and be a contender for a Grand Slam title, then I’ll probably consider going into retirement.

“I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m a father and a husband. A lot of things happening in the private life off court that I enjoy, that require my attention, my presence, my energy.

“I’m really blessed to be where I am. Let’s see how far it goes.”

“In the end of the day, I’m not playing anymore because I need more money or I need more points or whatever. I just want to play. I really enjoy the competition.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic dominates to advance to 58th Grand Slam quarter-final