Novak Djokovic Dazzles, Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz Shine at Australian Open

Melbourne, Australia – Novak Djokovic, the tennis world’s reigning monarch, delivered a masterclass performance at the 2024 Australian Open, dismantling Adrian Mannarino of France 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. This victory marked Djokovic’s 58th appearance in the last eight of a Grand Slam tournament, tying him with Roger Federer for the all-time record.

Djokovic, relentlessly pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title, a record-extending feat, faced stern tests in the opening rounds of the tournament, dropping a set in each match. However, as the second week of the competition approached, he found his rhythm, ominously signaling his return to peak form.

“The first two sets [were some] of the best sets I’ve played in a while,” Djokovic remarked after the match, as reported by the ATP Tour.

Djokovic’s dominance was evident from the outset, as he stormed through the first two sets without dropping a single game. He appeared poised to achieve a rare triple bagel, which would have been the first of its kind at the Australian Open and the first at any Grand Slam since 1993. However, Mannarino, displaying remarkable resilience, managed to win a game in the third set, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

“I really wanted to lose that game in the third set, because the tension was building up so much in the stadium,” Djokovic confessed. “I just needed to get that one out of the way so I can refocus on what I needed to do to close out the match.”

Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff Make History

In other exciting developments, Taylor Fritz, the American sensation, stunned last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling four-set encounter, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. Fritz, seeded 12th in the tournament, had never defeated a top-10 player at a Grand Slam before, but he displayed remarkable composure, limiting his unforced errors to just 19 and firing 13 aces, propelling him to his maiden Australian Open quarterfinal.

“The last three games of the match I really, really turned it on, almost like [I] was in a trance and everything,” Fritz reflected after the match, as quoted by the tournament’s website.

“Just felt good. I felt like I knew exactly what shot to hit, the right decision to make on every ball. It’s great. It’s been a while since I’ve had that feeling, so it gives me a lot of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, Fritz’s compatriot, also etched her name in history, reaching her first-ever Australian Open quarterfinal with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory over Poland’s Magdalena Frech. This win extended Gauff’s consecutive Grand Slam match-winning streak to 11, a remarkable feat that includes her triumph at the US Open.

Gauff’s dominance throughout the match was undeniable, as she unleashed 21 winners compared to Frech’s seven and never faced a break point. Her increasingly assured performances belie her tender age, as the 19-year-old admitted to reporters after the match.

“I just feel like I’ve lived so many lives the last four years, that I just feel older than 19,” Gauff said. “Yeah, I definitely do forget my age a lot.”

With this victory, Gauff became the youngest woman to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals since Agnieszka Radwanska in 2008. She will now face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the next round.

Additional Highlights from the Australian Open

• Jessica Pegula upsets Aryna Sabalenka: In a thrilling encounter, American Jessica Pegula defeated the powerful Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, to advance to the quarterfinals. Pegula’s victory marks her best-ever performance at the Australian Open.
• Karen Khachanov stuns Daniil Medvedev: In an all-Russian clash, Karen Khachanov upset the reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals. Khachanov’s victory was his first against Medvedev in six career meetings.
• Stefanos Tsitsipas eliminated by Taylor Fritz: In a highly anticipated fourth-round clash, Taylor Fritz upset last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in a four-set thriller, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. Fritz’s victory was his first against a top-10 player at a Grand Slam and propelled him to his maiden Australian Open quarterfinal.
• Coco Gauff reaches her first Australian Open quarterfinal: Coco Gauff continued her impressive run at the Australian Open, defeating Magdalena Frech of Poland in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to reach her first-ever quarterfinal at the tournament. Gauff is now the youngest woman to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals since Agnieszka Radwanska in 2008.
• Marta Kostyuk advances to the quarterfinals: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine defeated Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in three sets, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Kostyuk’s victory marked her first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.
• Novak Djokovic continues his quest for history: Novak Djokovic’s victory over Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round extended his winning streak to 10 matches and marked his 58th appearance in the last eight of a Grand Slam tournament, tying him with Roger Federer for the all-time record. Djokovic will face Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals as he continues his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

As the Australian Open continues to unfold, the world watches in anticipation as these talented athletes battle it out for the coveted title. Who will emerge victorious? Stay tuned to find out!