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Novak Djokovic (Source-Twitter)
Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is set to face Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round. The Serbian made short work of 24-year-old Argentine Tomas Etcheverry in straight sets.
The Serbian ace dominated the match which was held at the famous Rod Laver Arena on Friday. With this win, Djokovic is one of the firm favourites for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Adrian Mannarino beat Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller to set up a date with the World Number 1. On Saturday, Tommy Paul of the USA will take on Miomir Kecmanovic, while JC Shang will take on Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.
Easy win for Novak Djokovic
Coming to the Rod Laver Arena, current Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic had a look of confidence on his face. The Serbian ace had come into the third round on the back of two four-set matches.
The first two sets saw Djokovic take the set 6-3 each. It was only in the third and final set did the young Argentine put up a fight as he took the game to a tie-break. Djokovic proved just too good for Etcheverry as he won the tie-break with a 7-2 margin.
It was a seamless performance as the Serbian converted 3 out of the 7 Break Points he got. In comparison, the Argentinian did not even come close to breaking the 36-year-old’s serve. The veteran star will now rest for a few days as he plays his fourth round on Monday.
Meanwhile, JC Shang who beat India’s Sumit Nagal is set for a date with World Number 2 Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard will look to outwit his opponent and move into the fourth round of the tournament.
Many experts feel that the Australian Open 2024 will witness yet another showdown between Djokovic and Alcaraz. India’s Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden beat John Millman and Edward Winter in straight sets.
The veteran pair had earlier beaten the Australia duo of James Duckworth and Marc Polmans. The final set saw the super tie break head to the favour of the Indo-Aussie duo who won the first round. Sriram Balaji and Victor Cornea will take on Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in the second round on Saturday.