© Phil Walter / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The defending champion Novak Djokovic is through into the last 16 at the Australian Open for the 16th time from 19 trips to Melbourne. Novak faced Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round at Rod Laver Arena and scored a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 29 minutes.
The Serb celebrated his 92nd Australian Open victory and the 31st in a row since 2019. Also, Djokovic notched his 364th Major victory and 78th at Rod Laver Arena, leaving Serena Williams on 77. Djokovic played better than in the previous matches, moving around the court well and constructing reliable serving.
Novak outplayed his rival behind the first and second serve, facing no break points and stealing the rival’s serve three times. Etcheverry fought well in the third set, reaching a tie break before sending Djokovic over the top in straight sets.
Djokovic hit a similar number of winners and unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely. He had the upper hand in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced exchanges to seal the deal in style, Novak hit the zone behind the initial shot right from the start, dropping four points in his games and keeping the pressure on Tomas Martin.
Djokovic grabbed one break and controlled the pace of the set. Etcheverry…
