Djokovic beats Machac in straight sets to reach Round 4 of the Australian Open, setting up a clash with Jiri Lehecka in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic delivered his most commanding performance of the Australian Open so far on Friday night, dispatching Tomas Machac in straight sets to advance to the fourth round.
In a clinical display, Djokovic secured a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory at Melbourne Park, reasserting his title credentials despite earlier struggles in the tournament.
The Serbian, a 10-time Australian Open champion, had dropped a set in each of his first two matches.
Against Machac, however, Djokovic appeared in total control, dictating play from the baseline and dominating longer rallies.
His serve proved a key weapon, with 65% of first serves landing and an 80% success rate on points behind his first delivery.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic described it as a turning point in his campaign.
“Best match of the tournament for me,” he said. “I didn’t have too many drops in concentration, and my level of tennis was solid throughout.”
Djokovic also benefited from Machac’s high error count. While the 37-year-old committed only 20 unforced errors, Machac tallied 35, underscoring the pressure Djokovic applied during the two-hour, 22-minute contest.
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Despite his dominance, Djokovic faced challenges off the court, including persistent hecklers in the crowd. He addressed the issue candidly after the match.
“It’s frustrating when it happens during critical moments,” Djokovic said.
“When it’s repetitive and lasts for an hour, it’s hard to ignore. I tried to tolerate it, but at one point, I had to respond.”
Next, Djokovic will face Czech player Jiri Lehecka, whom he defeated in their only previous encounter last year.
Leading sportsbooks have Djokovic as a strong favorite at -400 to progress, while Lehecka is listed at +300.
Interestingly, Djokovic’s title odds have lengthened slightly, now at +600 from +550 before the match.
This adjustment likely reflects concerns about physical issues he appeared to encounter briefly in the second set. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner (+100), Carlos Alcaraz (+240), and Alexander Zverev (+550) continue to lead the outright tennis betting markets.
Djokovic remains optimistic about his chances and emphasized the importance of maintaining his momentum.
“I need to keep building on this performance,” he said. “It’s about raising my level with each match. That’s the focus now.”
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