Melbourne, Jan 19 (Agency) Novak Djokovic on Sunday stormed into a record-equalling 15th Australian Open (AO) quarterfinal after a solid 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) victory over Czech 24th seed Jiri Lehecka. This win sets up a thrilling quarterfinal showdown with third seed Carlos Alcaraz, marking their eighth meeting on the Grand Slam stage. Djokovic, who claimed his 98th win in Melbourne, continued his dominance on the court, overpowering Lehecka, despite the Czech arriving with a perfect record in 2025. In a match punctuated by powerful serving and strategic play, Djokovic outclassed Lehecka, capitalising on unforced errors, especially in the first two sets.
The match ended in two hours and 39 minutes, with Djokovic maintaining his focus despite a brief wobble in the third set. The upcoming clash with Alcaraz is highly anticipated, with Djokovic reflecting on their competitive rivalry. “I’m expecting a big battle,” said the 37-year-old Serbian. “He’s a very dynamic and explosive player. It’s always a tough match against him.” Djokovic leads their head-to-head 4-3, with their most recent encounter at Roland-Garros last summer seeing Djokovic claim victory for the Olympic gold. As anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling contest, tennis fans are already buzzing about the blockbuster quarterfinal between the seasoned champion and the young Spaniard. The stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in their rivalry.