Djokovic vs Minaur Highlights: Novak Djokovic enters Australian Open Quarterfinals, topples Alex De Minaur in straight sets in fourth round : Follow Australian Open 2023 Highlights

“I really wanted to win in straight sets,” Djokovic said. “You obviously don’t know what is going to happen on the court. I thought the first four, five games was close. After breaking serve in the first set, I started feeling more free and more loose to hit through the ball and be more aggressive.

“I thought he was a bit more nervous towards the end of the second [set] and the beginning of the third set. I thought that was my opportunity to capitalise on those chances. Tennis is a very quick and dynamic sport. Things can change in a matter of moments, matter of points. But I kept my focus all the way through and played the best match of the year so far.”

World No. 24 De Minaur was aiming to reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the first time, having dropped just one set en route to the fourth round. The 23-year-old defeated 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal at the United Cup earlier this month and ends the Australian swing 4-2 on the year.

However against Djokovic, the Australian couldn’t do much. Djokovic was absolutely at his dominating best. He raced to a straight set win to set up clash with Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinal.