AO2025 : Djokovic , Alcaraz to clash in quarters , Sabalenka , Gauff, Zverev advances

 


Novak Djokovic is gearing up for a "big battle" as he prepares to face Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated Australian Open quarter-final on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The 37-year-old Serbian, chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title and his 11th Australian Open crown, defeated 24th seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on Rod Laver Arena to reach the last eight for the 15th time. This achievement ties him with Roger Federer and puts him one ahead of Rafael Nadal for most quarter-final appearances at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic’s next opponent, third seed Alcaraz, has already claimed four Grand Slam titles at the age of 21. However, the Spaniard has yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Alcaraz advanced after Jack Draper retired hurt in their fourth-round match, trailing 7-5, 6-1.

The upcoming clash will be the eighth meeting between Djokovic and Alcaraz, with the Serb holding a narrow 4-3 lead in their head-to-head, including a victory in their most recent encounter at the Paris Olympics final.

In other matches, American 12th seed Tommy Paul blew away  Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in straight sets . He will face  second seed Alexander Zverev who beat  French 14th seed Ugo Humbert in 4 sets on John Cain Arena.  Zverev who has looked in sparkling form has finally dropped one set today .

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, put on a dominant performance, overpowering 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 on the hottest day of the tournament, with temperatures soaring to 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit). Coco Gauff also advanced, battling back after losing her first set of the season to defeat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.


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