By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open quarterfinals without striking a ball Sunday after his last-16 opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew.
He will face either fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the last eight.
Should the remainder of the draw go with seedings, the 38-year-old Serb could then come up against Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals and world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
His most recent Grand Slam success came at the 2023 US Open and he is currently level with Margaret Court on 24 major titles.
Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open, went out in the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in 2025.
Speaking after his third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, he said: “[I feel] really good. It’s been a great start to the tournament.
“Obviously things can change. I’m not getting ahead of myself because last year I learned a lesson.
“I got too excited too early in some of the Grand Slams, playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis, and then getting injured in pretty much three out of four last year.”
Meanwhile Carlos Alcaraz stepped up his bid for a maiden Australian Open title with a masterclass to reach the quarterfinals on Sunday by dismissing the American Tommy Paul.
The six-time Grand Slam champion won 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-5 to equal his best run in Melbourne and is yet to drop a set.
The Spanish top seed plays home hope and sixth seed Alex de Minaur or 10th seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan for a place in the last four.
If Alcaraz, 22, can break his Australian duck he will become the youngest man in history to win a career Grand Slam of all four majors.
Elsewhere last year’s Australian Open runner-up, Alexander Zverev, stayed on track in his bid for an elusive maiden Grand Slam title, beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-2 6-4 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park on Sunday.
The 28-year-old German has lost all three Grand Slam title clashes he has contested, including last year’s final to Jannik Sinner at Melbourne Park, and has flown under the radar this time as he seeks another opportunity.
Zverev plays Daniil Medvedev or Learner Tien next.
Learner Tien battled through a nosebleed to thrash three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open on Sunday and make a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time.