Novak Djokovic reached the last 16 of the 2024 Australian Open on Friday, the top favorite from Melbourne sent home Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the Argentine who eliminated Andy Murray and Gael Monfils at the tournament (6-3, 6-3, 7). -6(2)).

Novak DjokovicPhoto: James Gourley / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

After his flawless run in Melbourne, going 6-0 in sets against Andy Murray (first round) and Gael Monfils (second round), there was talk that the Argentine (30th favourite) would be a tough nut for Nole. However, the reality on the ground was quite different.

The Serbian had some problems against Dino Prizmich (first round) but especially against Oleksiy Popyrin (second round), but Joker proved once again that he gets better as he progresses through the Grand Slams (especially in Melbourne) and harder to beat.

He finds his winning setups, brings tennis to a level where he is almost invincible, and opponents cannot find an answer to Nole’s tennis.

The Joker once again showed that he is incredibly difficult to beat at Rod Laver Arena.

In the first two sets, Etcheverry tried to stay as close as possible to the ATP leader (a childhood favorite) and all he could do was lose the sets with the same score, 6-3 (there were three breaks in total, two in the second set).

The set that offered a little more balance was only the third, with one won by the Serb on a 7-2 tiebreak.

The game lasted two hours and 28 minutes.

Novak Djokovic has joined a select club of players who have reached 100 matches played at the Australian Open. The list also includes Serena Williams (117) and the legendary Roger Federer (105).

“I played my best tennis, I’m happy to find my rhythm. I was warned by the good tennis he played, he beat Andy Murray and Gael Monfils,” said among other things Novak Djokovic at the end of the game.

Know:

  • In the round of 16, Djokovic will meet the winner of the match between Adrian Mannarino (20th seed) and Ben Shelton (16th seed).
  • At the age of 36 (he will be 37 on May 22), Novak holds the record for most titles won in Melbourne: 10 (in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023).