Serbia’s Novak Djokovic booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2024 after a convincing victory over Tomás Martín Etcheverry of Argentina on Friday (Jan 19). Djokovic, in search of his record-equaling 11th Australian Open title, has now stretched his unbeaten at the Melbourne Park to 31 matches having got the better of Etcheverry with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3, 7-6. The Serbian will next face the winner of Ben Shelton and Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round.&nbsp;

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Too strong. Too clean. Too good.<a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@djokernole</a> cruises into the fourth round with a 6-3 6-3 7-6(2) victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/wwos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wwos</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espn</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/eurosport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eurosport</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/wowowtennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wowowtennis</a> <a href="https://t.co/hu64jY7GOP">pic.twitter.com/hu64jY7GOP</a>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1748296493977518232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Djokovic continues remarkable run</h2>

Coming into the match with an unbeaten run of 30 matches, Novak had a tough task of facing Argentina’s Etcheverry who had outclassed former Wimbledon champion&nbsp;Andy Murray in the first round. Djokovic though picked his moments in the match and capitalised on the opportunities provided to snap the opening set. He had a first serve percentage of 86 which highlighted his dominance. He also won 60 percent of points on the second serve in the match.

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He also won three break points while giving no such luxury to his opposite number in the same tally. There was good competition in the last set which was stretched to a tiebreaker where Djokovic prevailed 7-2 to win the match.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-if-he-has-higher-win-percentage-than-dhoni-kohli-then-gavaskar-hails-captain-rohit-681504">Ind vs Afg: 'If he has higher win percentage than Dhoni &amp; Kohli, then...' - Gavaskar hails captain Rohit</a>

Making his 19th appearance at the Australian Open this year, the 36-year-old has not lost a match in the first Grand Slam of the year since 2018. With an impeccable record in the competition history, he has tasted defeat only eight times in the excruciating heat of Melbourne.

Despite turning 36 in 2023, age is just a number for the World No. 1, who for the second time in his career reached the final of all four Grand Slams (previously in 2021). With a record of 27-1 at the Grand Slams in 2023, Djokovic’s form will be a major concern for anyone who tries to dethrone him at the Australia Open.

The 10-time Australian Open champion’s only Grand Slam defeat came against Carlos Alcaraz at the Wimbledon final which he lost in five sets.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2024 after a convincing victory over Tomás Martín Etcheverry of Argentina on Friday (Jan 19).

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2024 after a convincing victory over Tomás Martín Etcheverry of Argentina on Friday (Jan 19). Djokovic, in search of his record-equaling 11th Australian Open title, has now stretched his unbeaten at the Melbourne Park to 31 matches having got the better of Etcheverry with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3, 7-6. The Serbian will next face the winner of Ben Shelton and Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round. Too strong. Too clean. Too good.@djokernole cruises into the fourth round with a 6-3 6-3 7-6(2) victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry.#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/hu64jY7GOP — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2024 × Djokovic continues remarkable run Coming into the match with an unbeaten run of 30 matches, Novak had a tough task of facing Argentina’s Etcheverry who had outclassed former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray in the first round. Djokovic though picked his moments in the match and capitalised on the opportunities provided to snap the opening set. He had a first serve percentage of 86 which highlighted his dominance. He also won 60 percent of points on the second serve in the match. × He also won three break points while giving no such luxury to his opposite number in the same tally. There was good competition in the last set which was stretched to a tiebreaker where Djokovic prevailed 7-2 to win the match. ALSO READ | Ind vs Afg: 'If he has higher win percentage than Dhoni & Kohli, then...' - Gavaskar hails captain Rohit Making his 19th appearance at the Australian Open this year, the 36-year-old has not lost a match in the first Grand Slam of the year since 2018. With an impeccable record in the competition history, he has tasted defeat only eight times in the excruciating heat of Melbourne. Despite turning 36 in 2023, age is just a number for the World No. 1, who for the second time in his career reached the final of all four Grand Slams (previously in 2021). With a record of 27-1 at the Grand Slams in 2023, Djokovic’s form will be a major concern for anyone who tries to dethrone him at the Australia Open. The 10-time Australian Open champion’s only Grand Slam defeat came against Carlos Alcaraz at the Wimbledon final which he lost in five sets.

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic stretches unbeaten run at Melbourne Park to 31 matches with third round win

Setting a Grand Slam attendance record, the Australian Open 2023 saw more than 900,000 spectators flocking to Melbourne Park for the better part of the last three weeks, despite several big-ticket players missing.&nbsp;

According to figures released, 839,192 fans&nbsp;watched the opening Grand Slam of the year between January 16-29. Additionally, over 60,000 also watched the qualifiers that began before the start of the tournament, thereby bringing the total to&nbsp;902,312.

The 2023 numbers defeated the pre-Covid era record of 812,174 set in January 2020. It also eclipsed the attendance numbers of other Grand Slams from last year. While 776,120 visited the US Open, 613,500 and 515,164 visited French Open and Wimbledon respectively.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/novak-djokovic-wins-10th-australian-open-title-beats-tsitispas-557060" target="_blank">WATCH | Novak Djokovic wins 10th Australian Open Title, beats Tsitispas</a>

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This year's tournament also broke the single-day attendance record with 94,854 visiting on January 21, compared to 93,709 set in 2020.&nbsp;

With big players such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Ashleigh Barty, Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios, Venus Williams and Simona Halep amongst others not playing or having retired -&nbsp;aspersions were cast on whether the tournament organisers would be able to successfully host the Grand Slam with a decent footfall.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-2023-nick-kyrgios-pulls-out-of-grand-slam-top-6-players-who-dropped-out-from-the-tournament-553052">Read more:&nbsp;Australian Open 2023: Nick Kyrgios pulls out of grand slam; top 6 players who dropped out from the tournament</a>

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley reflected on the same and said people just wanted to be entertained.&nbsp;

"It was reported that we didn't have the greats any more, that it was going to be terrible. But people just want to be entertained,"&nbsp;Tiley told the Melbourne Age.

"They want to have some fun, and tennis is a great option for them, and it's become a summer thing to do for Melburnians and for Australians and also for our guests from around the world."

Though the Russia and Belarusian flag controversy threatened to sour the atmosphere in the stadiums, the numbers suggested that it had little to no effect.&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic won his 10th Australian Open title in the men's singles category while Aryna Sabalenka won her maiden Grand Slam in the women's singles.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Setting a Grand Slam attendance record, the Australian Open 2023 saw more than 900,000 spectators flocking to Melbourne Park for the better part of the last three weeks, despite several big-ticket players missing.

Setting a Grand Slam attendance record, the Australian Open 2023 saw more than 900,000 spectators flocking to Melbourne Park for the better part of the last three weeks, despite several big-ticket players missing. According to figures released, 839,192 fans watched the opening Grand Slam of the year between January 16-29. Additionally, over 60,000 also watched the qualifiers that began before the start of the tournament, thereby bringing the total to 902,312. The 2023 numbers defeated the pre-Covid era record of 812,174 set in January 2020. It also eclipsed the attendance numbers of other Grand Slams from last year. While 776,120 visited the US Open, 613,500 and 515,164 visited French Open and Wimbledon respectively. WATCH | Novak Djokovic wins 10th Australian Open Title, beats Tsitispas × This year's tournament also broke the single-day attendance record with 94,854 visiting on January 21, compared to 93,709 set in 2020. With big players such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Ashleigh Barty, Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios, Venus Williams and Simona Halep amongst others not playing or having retired - aspersions were cast on whether the tournament organisers would be able to successfully host the Grand Slam with a decent footfall. Read more: Australian Open 2023: Nick Kyrgios pulls out of grand slam; top 6 players who dropped out from the tournament Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley reflected on the same and said people just wanted to be entertained. "It was reported that we didn't have the greats any more, that it was going to be terrible. But people just want to be entertained," Tiley told the Melbourne Age. "They want to have some fun, and tennis is a great option for them, and it's become a summer thing to do for Melburnians and for Australians and also for our guests from around the world." Though the Russia and Belarusian flag controversy threatened to sour the atmosphere in the stadiums, the numbers suggested that it had little to no effect. Novak Djokovic won his 10th Australian Open title in the men's singles category while Aryna Sabalenka won her maiden Grand Slam in the women's singles. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Record attendance reported at Australian Open, breaks Grand Slam record

Andy Murray stunned Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, saving a match point to prevail over five gruelling sets and book a spot in the Australian Open second round. 
The three-time Grand Slam champion has battled major hip and abdominal injuries for half a decade but declared himself free of pain and fired up before the tournament.&nbsp;

His renowned grit was on full display in toppling the Italian 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/6) in 4hrs 49mins under a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena due to extreme heat.

It was a huge win for the 35-year-old Briton, now ranked 66, to knock out last year's semi-finalist for a landmark 50th match-win at the season-opening Grand Slam.

"I'll be feeling this evening and tomorrow, but right now I'm unbelievably happy and proud of myself," said Murray, a five-time runner-up at Melbourne Park.

"I've put a lot of work into the last few months with my team to give me this opportunity to perform on stadiums like this, in matches like this and against players like Matteo and it paid off tonight."

It was Murray's first victory over a top 20 player at a Grand Slam since defeating ninth-ranked Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals of the 2017 French Open.

The victory also brought up his 50th Australian Open match-win, becoming only the fifth man in the Open Era to achieve the feat alongside Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Stefan Edberg.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-and-belarusian-flags-banned-from-australian-open-after-ukraines-complaint-553391">Read more: Russian and Belarusian flags banned from Australian Open after Ukraine's complaint</a>

"I think some of the tennis at the end was really good, it felt like that playing," he said.

"He's a brilliant competitor, one of the best on tour, he always fights to the end and I did well to get through."&nbsp;

Coached by Ivan Lendl, who won the Melbourne Park title in 1989 and 1990, Murray broke once in the first set and twice in the second as the Italian struggled on his second serve while making a slew of unforced errors.

But Berrettini rallied in the third set with a break to move 3-2 clear and helped by six aces took it to a fourth set.

Nothing separated them and it went to a seesawing tiebreak that the Italian won on his third set point when Murray sent a forehand long.

Berrettini earned a match point 5-4 in the fifth but netted an easy half-volley to waste the opportunity and it again went to a tiebreak where an early break for Murray gave him the edge and he clung on.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Andy Murray stunned Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, saving a match point to prevail over five gruelling sets and book a spot in the Australian Open second round.

Andy Murray stunned Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, saving a match point to prevail over five gruelling sets and book a spot in the Australian Open second round. The three-time Grand Slam champion has battled major hip and abdominal injuries for half a decade but declared himself free of pain and fired up before the tournament. His renowned grit was on full display in toppling the Italian 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/6) in 4hrs 49mins under a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena due to extreme heat. It was a huge win for the 35-year-old Briton, now ranked 66, to knock out last year's semi-finalist for a landmark 50th match-win at the season-opening Grand Slam. "I'll be feeling this evening and tomorrow, but right now I'm unbelievably happy and proud of myself," said Murray, a five-time runner-up at Melbourne Park. "I've put a lot of work into the last few months with my team to give me this opportunity to perform on stadiums like this, in matches like this and against players like Matteo and it paid off tonight." It was Murray's first victory over a top 20 player at a Grand Slam since defeating ninth-ranked Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals of the 2017 French Open. The victory also brought up his 50th Australian Open match-win, becoming only the fifth man in the Open Era to achieve the feat alongside Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Stefan Edberg. Read more: Russian and Belarusian flags banned from Australian Open after Ukraine's complaint "I think some of the tennis at the end was really good, it felt like that playing," he said. "He's a brilliant competitor, one of the best on tour, he always fights to the end and I did well to get through." Coached by Ivan Lendl, who won the Melbourne Park title in 1989 and 1990, Murray broke once in the first set and twice in the second as the Italian struggled on his second serve while making a slew of unforced errors. But Berrettini rallied in the third set with a break to move 3-2 clear and helped by six aces took it to a fourth set. Nothing separated them and it went to a seesawing tiebreak that the Italian won on his third set point when Murray sent a forehand long. Berrettini earned a match point 5-4 in the fifth but netted an easy half-volley to waste the opportunity and it again went to a tiebreak where an early break for Murray gave him the edge and he clung on. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Australian Open: Murray outlasts Berrettini after an epic five-setter in the first round

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovic-and-nadal-rally-for-merger-of-atp-cup-and-davis-cup-271915">Novak Djokovic</a> said Australian Open organisers should consider delaying the first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-2020-tennis-innovative-24-team-tournament-to-begin-from-january-3-271406">Grand Slam</a> of the year if haze from bushfires raging around the country threatens players' health.

The opening major of 2020 is due to start at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fuelled-by-high-temperatures-and-strong-winds-australian-bushfires-continues-rage-272114">Melbourne</a> Park on January 20 and the city was blanketed by smoke from blazes burning to the east on Saturday, compromising air quality.

Djokovic, president of the ATP players council, said in the early hours of Sunday that any delay would be a last resort, but it needed to be discussed.

"I mean, it's fair from you to say that (ask the question)," he said when pressed on the matter in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-kicks-off-with-shapovalov-win-271903">Brisbane</a>, where he is playing for Serbia in the inaugural ATP Cup team event.

"Obviously, you have to always&nbsp;because of some extreme weather and conditions, you just have to consider it.

"But I think that's probably the very, very last option for anything. I think they're going to try to do anything to not delay in terms of days and when it starts.

"I mean, and I understand why, but if it comes down to those conditions affecting the health of players, I think we should definitely consider it."

Catastrophic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-firefighters-get-brief-reprieve-as-death-toll-rises-272175">bushfires</a> have been raging in Australia for weeks, leaving 24 dead and hundreds of properties destroyed.

Tennis officials last week took the unprecedented decision to relocate the Canberra International, an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-2020-tennis-innovative-24-team-tournament-to-begin-from-january-3-271406">ATP</a> Challenger 125 event and on the women's ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as a stepping stone to the full tour.

They said play would not have been possible in the Australian capital which has been choked by smoke, with the tournament now due to start Monday at Bendigo in Victoria state.

Djokovic said he had experienced air quality issues at tournaments in China, but the bushfires had created an unprecedented situation.

The Serbian superstar said he not spoken to Tennis Australia chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-prize-pool-jumps-to-49-million-biggest-gains-for-early-rounds-269945">Craig Tiley</a> "but people from my team have".

"They're obviously tracking the situation every single day as it's evolving and hopefully calming down with the smoke and fires," he said.

"I think they will, if it continues the same way and if the quality of air is affected.&nbsp;I think Tennis Australia probably will be forced to, I think, create some rules about it.

"I mean, it's tough for them because scheduling has to be respected in terms of play and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Australian Open</a> starts at a certain time, so there's a lot of different things involved.&nbsp;

"But health is a concern for me and for anybody."

He said the ATP players' council was due to meet before the Australian Open and the issue would be on the agenda.

Novak Djokovic said Australian Open organisers should consider delaying the first Grand Slam of the year if haze from bushfires raging around the country threatens players' health.

Novak Djokovic said Australian Open organisers should consider delaying the first Grand Slam of the year if haze from bushfires raging around the country threatens players' health. The opening major of 2020 is due to start at Melbourne Park on January 20 and the city was blanketed by smoke from blazes burning to the east on Saturday, compromising air quality. Djokovic, president of the ATP players council, said in the early hours of Sunday that any delay would be a last resort, but it needed to be discussed. "I mean, it's fair from you to say that (ask the question)," he said when pressed on the matter in Brisbane, where he is playing for Serbia in the inaugural ATP Cup team event. "Obviously, you have to always because of some extreme weather and conditions, you just have to consider it. "But I think that's probably the very, very last option for anything. I think they're going to try to do anything to not delay in terms of days and when it starts. "I mean, and I understand why, but if it comes down to those conditions affecting the health of players, I think we should definitely consider it." Catastrophic bushfires have been raging in Australia for weeks, leaving 24 dead and hundreds of properties destroyed. Tennis officials last week took the unprecedented decision to relocate the Canberra International, an ATP Challenger 125 event and on the women's ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as a stepping stone to the full tour. They said play would not have been possible in the Australian capital which has been choked by smoke, with the tournament now due to start Monday at Bendigo in Victoria state. Djokovic said he had experienced air quality issues at tournaments in China, but the bushfires had created an unprecedented situation. The Serbian superstar said he not spoken to Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley "but people from my team have". "They're obviously tracking the situation every single day as it's evolving and hopefully calming down with the smoke and fires," he said. "I think they will, if it continues the same way and if the quality of air is affected. I think Tennis Australia probably will be forced to, I think, create some rules about it. "I mean, it's tough for them because scheduling has to be respected in terms of play and the Australian Open starts at a certain time, so there's a lot of different things involved. "But health is a concern for me and for anybody." He said the ATP players' council was due to meet before the Australian Open and the issue would be on the agenda.

ATP: Novak Djokovic concerned about smoke at Australian Open as bushfires continue to blaze

World number one Naomi Osaka was adamant that her shock split with coach Sascha Bajin had nothing to do with money but it was because she was determined that her career would not be about putting "success over happiness".

The German had guided the Japanese player to back-to-back Grand Slam titles as well as to the summit of the WTA rankings. But just two weeks after her triumph at Melbourne Park, Osaka abruptly severed ties with Bajin. That led to suggestions the two had fallen out over money.

"Everyone thinks it was a money-related issue, but it wasn't," the US&nbsp;and Australian Open champion told the WTA in Dubai. "That's one of the most hurtful things I've ever heard.

"I travel with everyone on my team, I see them more than my family. I would never do that to them.

"My reason is I wouldn't put success over my happiness - that's my main thing. I'm not going to sacrifice that just to keep a person around."

Bajin, a former hitting partner of Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, was named as the WTA's coach of the year in 2018 after his success with Osaka.

During their time together, Osaka rocketed from 72 in the world at the start of 2018 to number one last month.

Osaka said it was clear things were not right between them during the season's opening major.

"It was kind of brewing in Australia. I think some people could see that if they saw how we interacted," the 21-year-old added.

"I would not want to split on really bad terms. I'm not going to say anything bad about him because, of course, I'm really grateful for all the things he's done.

"During the Australian Open, I was just trying to tell myself to get through it. I'm not sure, but I think you guys noticed."

Osaka said she hopes to have a new coach in place by March at Indian Wells.

"It's not really ideal to go to Indian Wells without a coach. I don't want someone that's in the box saying negative stuff. That would be the worst," she said.

"(I want) someone that's kind of direct, not afraid to say things to my face. I'd rather someone say it directly to me than go around my back. That's one of the biggest things."

World number one Naomi Osaka was adamant that her shock split with coach Sascha Bajin had nothing to do with money but it was because she was determined that her career would not be about putting "success over happiness".

World number one Naomi Osaka was adamant that her shock split with coach Sascha Bajin had nothing to do with money but it was because she was determined that her career would not be about putting "success over happiness". The German had guided the Japanese player to back-to-back Grand Slam titles as well as to the summit of the WTA rankings. But just two weeks after her triumph at Melbourne Park, Osaka abruptly severed ties with Bajin. That led to suggestions the two had fallen out over money. "Everyone thinks it was a money-related issue, but it wasn't," the US and Australian Open champion told the WTA in Dubai. "That's one of the most hurtful things I've ever heard. "I travel with everyone on my team, I see them more than my family. I would never do that to them. "My reason is I wouldn't put success over my happiness - that's my main thing. I'm not going to sacrifice that just to keep a person around." Bajin, a former hitting partner of Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, was named as the WTA's coach of the year in 2018 after his success with Osaka. During their time together, Osaka rocketed from 72 in the world at the start of 2018 to number one last month. Osaka said it was clear things were not right between them during the season's opening major. "It was kind of brewing in Australia. I think some people could see that if they saw how we interacted," the 21-year-old added. "I would not want to split on really bad terms. I'm not going to say anything bad about him because, of course, I'm really grateful for all the things he's done. "During the Australian Open, I was just trying to tell myself to get through it. I'm not sure, but I think you guys noticed." Osaka said she hopes to have a new coach in place by March at Indian Wells. "It's not really ideal to go to Indian Wells without a coach. I don't want someone that's in the box saying negative stuff. That would be the worst," she said. "(I want) someone that's kind of direct, not afraid to say things to my face. I'd rather someone say it directly to me than go around my back. That's one of the biggest things."

Split with coach Bajin not over money, says Naomi Osaka

American Frances Tiafoe celebrated his 21st birthday by stunning Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 7-5 in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday.

Tiafoe, the last American man standing at Melbourne Park, fended off four early break points in a sluggish start before taking his own opportunities on Dimitrov's serve to claim the opening set.

Former Melbourne semi-finalist Dimitrov had three sets points to draw level but Tiafoe refused to wilt under the pressure and reeled off five straight points to move two sets ahead.

Dimitrov, who has slipped just outside the top 20 in the world after early exits in his last three Grand Slams appearances, dug deep to fight his way back, claiming the third set in another tiebreak.

But Tiafoe was back on top in the fourth set, clinching a decisive break in the 11th game before serving out to seal a quarter-final against either Rafa Nadal or Tomas Berdych.

American Frances Tiafoe celebrated his 21st birthday by stunning Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 7-5 in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday.

American Frances Tiafoe celebrated his 21st birthday by stunning Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 7-5 in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday. Tiafoe, the last American man standing at Melbourne Park, fended off four early break points in a sluggish start before taking his own opportunities on Dimitrov's serve to claim the opening set. Former Melbourne semi-finalist Dimitrov had three sets points to draw level but Tiafoe refused to wilt under the pressure and reeled off five straight points to move two sets ahead. Dimitrov, who has slipped just outside the top 20 in the world after early exits in his last three Grand Slams appearances, dug deep to fight his way back, claiming the third set in another tiebreak. But Tiafoe was back on top in the fourth set, clinching a decisive break in the 11th game before serving out to seal a quarter-final against either Rafa Nadal or Tomas Berdych.

Birthday boy Frances Tiafoe topples Dimitrov to reach Australian Open quarters

Bashing 39 aces to match his age, Ivo Karlovic became the oldest man to win a match at the Australian Open in over 40 years as he felled Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, a man 18 years his junior, to reach the second round on Tuesday.

On a sweltering day at Melbourne Park, the towering Croat's 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 7-6(5) win on Court 19 made him the oldest victor at the tournament since Australian icon Ken Rosewall reached the third round of the 1978 tournament at the age of 44.

World number 73 Karlovic also became the oldest winner at any Grand Slam since a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat Jaime Oncins to reach the second round of the 1992 U.S. Open.

Karlovic, whose birthday falls on Feb. 28, will be officially middle-aged next month but said he had no intention of winding down while still fit enough to compete.

"I think I'm healthy so hopefully there will be no injuries," the 6-ft 11-in (2.11 metres) Zagreb man told Reuters at Melbourne Park.

"As long as my ranking is up and I get in to all these tournaments, I don't see any reason I should stop."

The oldest man in the men's singles ahead of 37-year-old double defending champion Roger Federer, Karlovic advanced a day after 31-year-old Andy Murray played possibly his last match at Melbourne Park on Monday.

The former world number one Briton has been suffering severe pain in his right hip and said before the tournament that he might have to retire.

Where Murray's all-court, scrambling, defensive game has undoubtedly taken its toll, Karlovic's longevity may be explained in part by his commitment to the now rarely seen art of serve-volley.

Boasting a monster serve and an arm-span that can seem as wide as the court, the Croat keeps points short and sharp.

The style can be picked apart by good passers and the power of modern baseline pounders but it has served former world number 14 Karlovic well in a very respectable career of eight titles.

No rally against Hurkacz exceeded four points and the silver-haired Karlovic sealed the match when the Pole sent an attempted passing shot into the tramlines.

He raised his long arms into the air in triumph as a rowdy smattering of Croatian fans chanted, "Ivo! Ivo! Ivo!"

Why would he want to leave all this, he asked.

"This range of emotions from winning to losing, it's, I don't know, it's different," he said.

Bashing 39 aces to match his age, Ivo Karlovic became the oldest man to win a match at the Australian Open in over 40 years as he felled Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, a man 18 years his junior, to reach the second round on Tuesday.

Bashing 39 aces to match his age, Ivo Karlovic became the oldest man to win a match at the Australian Open in over 40 years as he felled Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, a man 18 years his junior, to reach the second round on Tuesday. On a sweltering day at Melbourne Park, the towering Croat's 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 7-6(5) win on Court 19 made him the oldest victor at the tournament since Australian icon Ken Rosewall reached the third round of the 1978 tournament at the age of 44. World number 73 Karlovic also became the oldest winner at any Grand Slam since a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat Jaime Oncins to reach the second round of the 1992 U.S. Open. Karlovic, whose birthday falls on Feb. 28, will be officially middle-aged next month but said he had no intention of winding down while still fit enough to compete. "I think I'm healthy so hopefully there will be no injuries," the 6-ft 11-in (2.11 metres) Zagreb man told Reuters at Melbourne Park. "As long as my ranking is up and I get in to all these tournaments, I don't see any reason I should stop." The oldest man in the men's singles ahead of 37-year-old double defending champion Roger Federer, Karlovic advanced a day after 31-year-old Andy Murray played possibly his last match at Melbourne Park on Monday. The former world number one Briton has been suffering severe pain in his right hip and said before the tournament that he might have to retire. Where Murray's all-court, scrambling, defensive game has undoubtedly taken its toll, Karlovic's longevity may be explained in part by his commitment to the now rarely seen art of serve-volley. Boasting a monster serve and an arm-span that can seem as wide as the court, the Croat keeps points short and sharp. The style can be picked apart by good passers and the power of modern baseline pounders but it has served former world number 14 Karlovic well in a very respectable career of eight titles. No rally against Hurkacz exceeded four points and the silver-haired Karlovic sealed the match when the Pole sent an attempted passing shot into the tramlines. He raised his long arms into the air in triumph as a rowdy smattering of Croatian fans chanted, "Ivo! Ivo! Ivo!" Why would he want to leave all this, he asked. "This range of emotions from winning to losing, it's, I don't know, it's different," he said.

Australian Open: Ivo Karlovic, 39, defies Father Time to reach second round

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